EP 543: Mentorship That Changes A Teen’s Future

What makes Colleen Mier with Foundation for Choice a good neighbor?

We talk with Colleen Mier about helping high school students prepare for life beyond graduation through one-on-one mentoring. As the leader of Foundation for Choice, Colleen shares how meaningful relationships and practical life skills can make the difference between simply earning good grades and confidently stepping into college, the workforce, or other future opportunities.

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in education, including special education, Colleen explains why so many capable students struggle with the skills that are rarely taught in the classroom. From resume writing and interview preparation to professional communication and goal setting, Foundation for Choice equips students with the confidence and tools they need to navigate the next stage of life.

One of the biggest misconceptions we discuss is that mentoring requires extraordinary expertise or a huge time commitment. Colleen explains that effective mentoring is built on consistency, encouragement, and a willingness to listen. Many mentors discover that they gain just as much from the relationship as the students they serve.

We also explore the broader impact of mentoring on the community. Colleen shares how having a trusted adult who believes in a young person can expand opportunities, build confidence, and help students break cycles of poverty by creating a stronger foundation for future success.

The conversation also highlights the organization’s ongoing need for volunteer mentors. Foundation for Choice is actively seeking adults ages 21 and older who want to invest in the next generation by providing guidance, encouragement, and practical support to local high school students.

If you care about youth mentorship, college and career readiness, or making a lasting impact in your community, this conversation offers inspiration and practical insight into how one caring adult can change the trajectory of a young person’s life.

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Guest Info: Foundation for Choice | https://foundationforchoice.org/

Transcript

Welcome To Good Neighbor Podcast

SPEAKER_00 0:00

This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Sophia Yvette.

SPEAKER_02 0:10

Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast. Are your children in need of a student mentorship program? Well, one may be closer than you think.

Meet Foundation For Choice

SPEAKER_02 0:18

Today I have the pleasure of introducing our good neighbor, Colleen Meyer, with Foundation for Choice. Colleen, it's wonderful to have you on today. Now we are so excited to learn more about you and your business. So go ahead and tell our listeners just a little bit more about your company.

SPEAKER_01 0:34

Hi, thank you so much for having us on today. Our foundation, Consider How One Individual Changes Everything, matches high school students with one-to-one mentors to work on college acceptance and career readiness skills.

SPEAKER_02 0:49

Wow.

Why Colleen Started This Work

SPEAKER_02 0:50

Now, where was your passion for this industry really born?

SPEAKER_01 0:54

I started teaching 20 years ago, and I noticed that there are a lot of students that didn't have the skills. They have a lot of the academics and they had a lot of understanding, they didn't have the structure at home to be able to get into the workforce, interview skills and resume writing, and just speaking with adults. So that's where it started to help all of those underserved youth.

SPEAKER_02 1:20

That's beautiful. And jumping back in time to your own story for a second, how did you get started with this foundation?

SPEAKER_01 1:28

I worked in special education primarily. And so this particular opportunity rose with Foundation for Choice. So I kind of moved into that. It's a natural fit.

SPEAKER_02 1:38

Wonderful.

Mentoring Myths And Real Rewards

SPEAKER_02 1:39

Now, today with Foundation for Choice, what is the most common misconception you come across about your industry that mentoring can be difficult?

SPEAKER_01 1:50

It's actually very easy and more rewarding. And honestly, I think the mentors get more out of it than the students themselves. And why do you say that? Helping somebody helps you and understand kindness and spreading and creating more for this particular child so that it breaks them out of the cycle of poverty.

SPEAKER_02 2:11

I love that, Colleen. Now we're going to go ahead and switch gears here for a second.

Who Can Mentor And How

SPEAKER_02 2:15

Now we know that marketing is the heart of every business. So ideally, who is your target audience and how are you attracting them to you today?

SPEAKER_01 2:26

Well, we're targeting anyone 21 and up, any age, any stage. We can anyone who wants to help work with our students.

SPEAKER_02 2:33

Wow, I love that motto. And how are you getting the word out about your business today?

SPEAKER_01 2:39

Everywhere, word of mouth. We're going networking, we are advertising. But yes, we are in need and hunting for mentors to start in October.

SPEAKER_02 2:50

That is wonderful. And outside of work, what do you like to do for fun?

SPEAKER_01 2:54

I like to play golf with my family.

SPEAKER_02 2:58

Very cool. Now, focusing more on the heart of your business, really diving in deeper for a second, if there was only one takeaway our listeners could gather from listening to this interview today, what would it be?

Kindness Takeaway And Where To Go

SPEAKER_01 3:14

Even if you don't mentor with us, helping others and kind of guiding, especially the youth and the youth who needed is very beneficial for everybody.

SPEAKER_02 3:24

And any final words of wisdom before we wrap up today?

SPEAKER_01 3:29

Just consider how you can change somebody's life just by being kind.

SPEAKER_02 3:34

Before we close out, where is the best place for our listeners to go to learn more about Foundation for Choice?

SPEAKER_01 3:41

You can go to our website and it's foundationforchoice.org. Very easy. Has all the information you would need about us.

SPEAKER_02 3:49

Well, Colleen, I really appreciate you being on the show today. We wish you and your business the best moving forward.

SPEAKER_01 3:56

Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 3:58

Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to GNP Frisco dot com. That's GNP Frisco dot com or call four six nine two two two two two two two two two two two two two one nine three four five.