Mentoring with in the community to me is a great way of giving back, especially if you grew up in a rough neighborhood. To be able to be someone’s mentor you basically have to earn from the other person. He/she has allow and trust you enough to do so and it is usually when one feels like they would want to accomplish and do whatever it is that you are doing or had to do in order to be successful. I mention mentors in rough neighborhoods because a lot of the youth are going in the wrong direction for whatever reason it may be and sometime they just need a little guidance and motivation telling them that they can be and do better no matter what their going through and that there is success at the end of every road as long as you try. I think mentors in the community are role models. A role model who hasn't forgotten where she came from, how she/he got to where she/he is now and always looking back to see if she/he can help those that came from the very same place. I believe a person has many role models in their lives. Each role model teaches a person about themselves and someone who not only treats you as an equal but is honest, trusting, and most of all open-minded, especially in today’s society. We live in a society that really doesn't allow one to be different. A role model dares you and themselves to be different.
Throughout high school I did a lot of volunteer work having to do with interacting with kids at the local elementary school in my neighborhood.