One Connection. A Lifetime of Hope.: Diego & Allison’s Story
When Allison Rivera signed up to be a mentor with Fresh Lifelines for Youth’s Mentor program, she didn’t know what to expect. She simply wanted to show up for a young person—to listen, to support, and to help them find their voice. What she didn’t realize at the time was that her mentee, Diego, would change her life just as much as she changed his.
“I was a FLY mentor for two years,” Allison recalls. “When I first met Diego, he was a little shy, but through our icebreaker questions, we started to connect. Before long, we were laughing, learning, and talking about life.”
For Diego, that connection made all the difference. “Allison wasn’t just a mentor; she felt like an older sister,” he shared. “She never made me feel judged or talked down to. She made me comfortable being myself.”
Building Trust, One Conversation at a Time
Through FLY’s Mentor program, youth like Diego meet regularly with caring adult mentors to build communication, leadership, and life skills in a supportive environment. For Allison and Diego, that meant weekly check-ins, community outings, and simple but meaningful moments; sharing meals, reflecting on goals, and celebrating small wins along the way.
“The outings really helped us connect,” Allison said. “Sometimes it was as simple as grabbing food or going to an event together. It gave us space to talk about what mattered.”
That space allowed Diego to open up about his future and start imagining possibilities he hadn’t considered before. “I didn’t plan to go to college at first,” he admitted. “But seeing Allison go through it made me realize I could do it too. Now I know where I’m going.”
Mentorship That Sparks Growth
“What surprised me most was how much Diego opened up over time,” Allison said. “At first he was quiet, but once he started talking, he was so articulate and thoughtful. He’s really good at expressing himself and reflecting on what’s going on in his life.”
Diego shared that Allison’s consistency and openness helped him grow in ways he didn’t expect. “She came in like an older sister,” he said. “She didn’t come in like an authority figure. That made it easy to talk about things, and over time, I got better at opening up to people.”
One of their favorite memories was a FLY sponsored fishing trip. “We caught leopard sharks!” Diego recalled, laughing. “It was just a really good day. Everyone was relaxed, the weather was nice—it felt like we were all connected.”
Achievements and Support
For Diego, having someone in his corner made a huge difference. “Graduating high school early is something I’m proud of,” he said. “Allison always pushed me to keep going and supported me even when things got hard.”
Allison remembers that period fondly. “Even when life got busy, the connection was still there,” she said. “He’s always been consistent and reliable, and it’s been amazing to see how far he’s come.”
Looking Ahead
As they both look toward the future, Diego’s goals have only grown clearer. “My goal is to graduate college and keep opening up to people,” he said. “I want to build more relationships like the one I have with Allison—and maybe one day be a mentor myself.” Diego is continuing to participate in FLY, and recently has done an amazing job at FLY speaking engagements. Click Here to see him speak at a recent Why FLY event.
For Allison, that’s exactly what FLY is all about. “It’s been three years now, and I still check in on Diego,” she said. “It’s not just a program connection—it’s a lifelong one.”
A Message to Future Mentors and Youth
When asked what advice they’d give, both reflected on what they’ve learned.
“Take advantage of your mentor’s time,” Diego said. “They’re there for you, and you never know what you’ll learn from them.”
Allison added, “Be patient. Growth isn’t always linear, but it’s worth it. Just keep showing up.”
Join the Movement
Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY) has been creating connections like this for 25 years. Through mentorship, leadership programs, and legal education, FLY helps young people realize their power, strengthen their voices, and build the futures they deserve.
To learn more about becoming a mentor or supporting our programs, visit flyprogram.org.
Together, we can spark hope—one connection at a time.