August Mentor: Mark D.

The August Mentor of the Month is Mark D.!

When his sons had grown up, Mark found himself looking for a new way to give back. A conversation with a good friend, and fellow Tuesday’s Promise mentor, Brian K., introduced him to mentoring through Tuesday's Promise. Given that he had lost family members and friends on 9/11, it felt like the right fit. After waiting for a match, he was paired with Michael in Illinois.

Since then, the relationship has grown far beyond scheduled calls. Mark says, "It's the unplanned moments that mean the most, like when Michael calls just to share good news or talk through something on his mind. Those calls are a sign that the relationship matters to Michael too, and that the time invested has paid off." Mark is also grateful for the bond he's built with Michael's mother and sister along the way.

“He’s more than a mentor, he’s family, and I’m glad he’s in my life.”

— Mike, age 10

His advice for new mentors: consistency is everything. Every call, every visit, every small point of contact adds up. Trust and relationships take time to build, but showing up reliably, even when life gets in the way and things need to be rescheduled, is what makes the connection grow.

Outside of mentoring, Mark spends his time with family, friends, and grandchildren.