For Saidee Acevedo, college once felt impossible. After struggling academically freshman and sophomore years and losing her grandmother during her junior year, Acevedo fell into a period of depression and anxiety, doubtful of what her future would look like.
Eventually, Acevedo reached out to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Empire (BBBS), a non-profit organization dedicated to creating one-on-one mentoring relationships to empower youth through social connections, academic guidance and positive life choices. After two unsuccessful mentor matches, Acevedo matched with her third mentor: Unique.
"When I met Saidee, I saw a lot of myself in her," BBBS mentor Unique Edwards said. "During our first outing, she shared her previous experiences with matches, and it genuinely touched me because I wanted to shift how she felt about the program ensuring she enjoyed it this time around, always feeling wanted. Showing up consistently, meeting her where she was, encouraging her growth, sharing my own experiences, and—most importantly—having fun together helped her see that I was committed to being there."
Acevedo believes the third match worked out because Edwards consistently made an effort to check in and show she cares.
"I think every match is different, but Unique and I just clicked naturally," Acevedo said. "From the beginning, I felt like I could be myself around her and that she really cared about getting to know me. She always makes an effort to text, call or check in, even when she's busy. Knowing that she was making time for me made it easier to open up and helped us build the relationship we have now."
Beyond the consistent support, Acevedo believes that having someone outside her family to turn to was especially valuable during difficult moments.
"I'm the oldest of three, so I never had an older person I could look up to or go to for guidance—Unique became that person for me," Acevedo said. "She gave me a support system and someone I could talk to, especially when I wasn't ready to talk to my mom or the rest of my family. She listened without making me feel judged, and I never felt like I had to hide how I was feeling. When my world felt dark, she brought some light into it."
The support Acevedo received wasn't just emotional. She also credits Edwards with helping her regain confidence in her academic future.
"Unique helped me understand why college was important and encouraged me to believe that I could be the first person in my family to go," Acevedo said. "With her by my side, my grades went from all F's to all A's, and I started accomplishing things I never thought I could."
Not only did Acevedo grow through this connection, Edwards did as well.
"Saidee has taught me that you do not have to be perfect to make a meaningful impact," Edwards said. "Throughout our match, I have planned plenty of corny activities, and even fallen overboard—but through all of it, we have created incredible memories and inside jokes that we will always be able to look back on. Being vulnerable and showing up as my authentic self has created space for Saidee to do the same, and being her mentor has ultimately changed me for the better."
For those hesitant to become mentors, Edwards encourages them to give it a try.
"To anyone who is hesitant, I would simply say: try it!" Edwards said. "Life is about doing something even when you are scared or unsure, and you may be surprised by how much you have to give—and how much you receive in return."
Acevedo also leaves prospective mentors with her own small piece of advice.
"I would tell them to be patient and not give up too quickly," Acevedo said. "In the beginning, it can be really hard for a young person to trust someone new and allow that person into their life. After having two previous mentors, I was afraid of getting attached again because I felt judged and wondered if I wasn't good enough. Sometimes, all a kid needs is someone outside their family who will listen, understand them and make them feel cared for without judging them. Simply being there can make a bigger difference than you realize."
After learning to open up and believe in herself, Acevedo will soon embark on her college journey, taking a first step towards something she once believed was impossible.
