Cheering for the underdogs!

Eleven-year-old Nettie just walked into my office. I hadn’t seen her since before Christmas break. She arrived at The Bridge with Jennae, her mentor. She was well dressed, had her hair done, and was wearing new glasses. 

I did my best proud-grandparent greeting: 

“Oh my goodness—look at you! You look like a grown woman!” 

She smiled and showed me the 3D printed dragons she received for Christmas. We connected for just a brief minute before she ran back out the door for an adventure with Jennae.  

Why am I telling you this story? 

Because every kid needs a cheering section. Especially the underdogs. 

Many kids have learned—often very early—that adults leave, disappoint, or hurt them. But a team of mentors quietly challenges that belief over time. Neurologically, repeated experiences of safe, predictable presence help regulate the stress response and build capacity for trust and self-control. Relationally, a child begins to expect good rather than brace for loss. 

Scripture puts it this way: 

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Pr. 13:12) 

Friends, because of you our team gets to go out and plant that tree—one relationship at a time—in the lives of kids right here in Topeka. Thank you!