The mark of a maturing mentorship relationship is when you start to see glimpses of reciprocity. In our Allies Mentorship Program, each mentor/mentee relationship is unique, taking on its own dynamics and characteristics. Some form close bonds quickly, and others take a year or more to warm up and truly begin forming a deeper relationship. Often, though, it takes quite a while for these relationships to take on many reciprocal dynamics. One mentor recalled recently that it took years for her mentee to ask the question, “how are you?” back to her mentor.

This is why when one of our current mentors, Sharon, shared this story with us, we were blown away. Sharon recalled a special moment where the reciprocity that has formed in their relationship really shined.  During one of their visits, Sharon shared with TD (mentee) about how much she missed her husband, who had recently passed away. Sharon had been having some struggles with her memory since then.

After Sharon shared this with her, TD asked Sharon if she was going to counseling and even encouraged her to find a good therapist. In addition to the mentee showing care and concern for her mentor, she also expressed the importance of a good therapist, which many fail to recognize the importance of. This seemingly small gesture is an act of great maturity for TD, and a milestone worth celebrating!  Mentoring relationships are beneficial for survivors of trafficking for a myriad of reasons – a significant one being that it gives mentees a safe place to learn and practice being part of a healthy, reciprocal relationship, which is a life skill that will serve them well for the rest of their lives!