At 17, Jordan had faced more challenges than most people his age. Struggling with learning difficulties and emotional dysregulation, he found it hard to understand why his life seemed so different from those around him. Serious issues began to surface around his ability to form healthy relationships, with growing concern about his understanding of boundaries and online safety. His past exposure to domestic violence had also affected his development. When Jordan was referred to MAPS Mentoring, it was hoped that a mentor could help him build trust, develop life skills, improve his online safety and keep him out of the criminal justice system.

When we first met Jordan, he shared his goals for mentoring: to feel safer, become more confident and independent, and to understand why he found it so hard to engage in the kind of life his peers were living. At the time, he wasn’t attending school and was reluctant to leave the house.

Jordan was carefully paired with a mentor who was patient, empathetic, and focused on building trust. They began with regular conversations, discussing the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships, the positive and negative sides of the internet, and how to stay safe online. Jordan’s mentor listened to his thoughts and experiences, and through their talks, Jordan began to see different perspectives and better understand the potential consequences of his choices.
A few months into the program, Jordan began to feel seen, heard, and supported. He had gained enough confidence to start traveling on his own to college. Talking through his worries with his mentor helped ease his nerves, and as he settled into a new routine, Jordan started to succeed in his studies and form new friendships.

By the midpoint of his mentoring journey, Jordan’s social confidence had grown significantly. He felt comfortable to continue discussions about his online activity.  He began to recognize risks on his own and develop a clearer understanding of what healthy relationships look like.

Through mentoring, Jordan learned to reflect on the different outcomes of his choices and consider the impact of his actions. He started to appreciate the value of discussing things with a trusted person and was beginning to navigate life more independently. He was learning to trust his own judgment and safely handle the changes and challenges that came his way.
Mentoring provided Jordan with a strong foundation for personal growth and the tools to move forward safely.