2023 MENTOR OF THE YEAR

A Mentor’s Journey

Written by Kaayla Butler, U.S. Dream Academy Intern

Born in Juarez, Mexico, Daniel moved to the states when he was just seven years old and has lived in Utah ever since. Some of his hobbies include rock climbing, basketball, playing video games, enjoying the outdoors, and spending time with his two dogs Sgt. Pepper and Penny Lane, a blue heeler and a red heeler. Not only is he a mentor at U.S. Dream Academy, but he is a mentor coach as well as an agent manager as a profession at PlusOne Company, a sales center that specializes in direct response. Although he has worked for the company for eight years, Daniel decided to go back to school to finish his associates degree. One of his courses required him to mentor in the community. He researched several other programs in the community and ultimately, he believed the U.S. Dream Academy mission and vision aligned most strongly with his own. Daniel admitted that, although he was nervous when he first went to visit the U.S. Dream Academy at the Endeavor Charter School, he recounts that as soon as he stepped inside, “within a minute or two of walking in that door, I immediately felt welcomed by kids and [amazing] staff,” Daniel says when talking about his first experience at the Dream Academy, “ I couldn’t see myself being anywhere else.”

Daniel has been in the mentorship program since March of 2022. While visiting twice a week, Daniel has expressed the recognition of purpose mentoring the DreamKids has brought into his life. “There is a different sense of fulfillment in being able to help kids who need it the most and have a lasting impact on their lives.”

He mentors three boys, Trenton, Bryan, and Rulan. Trenton and Bryan are going into sixth grade, while Rulan is going into third. Although different ages, the boys' personalities got along well and they were able to push each other in different ways. Daniel made it a point to emphasize the gravity of positive self-talk and self-care. He also modeled the importance of teamwork through examples on how to work together and spread kindness as the group worked through our DreamJourney mentoring curriculum. Daniel was able to quickly build a strong relationship with all three boys, and he is now someone they look up to and admire. 

The U.S. Dream Academy is a program that gives kids the opportunity to embark on a path that guides them in the direction of their dreams. Daniel understood the gravity of this initiative not only through getting to know the kids, but through personal experience as well. Growing up, Daniel lived in a single parent household with three other siblings. Looking back at his time in Mexico, Daniel says he “wasn't on the right path” even at a young age. He believes without a doubt, had he been there longer, the trajectory of his life would have been much different. Looking at the parallels of his life in comparison, Daniel understands the importance of having a program to impact kids in a positive way. “Once I got a group,” Daniel says, “I wanted to create a space for them to be heard without judgment; to help them confidently be who they want to be.”

One of the things he loves most about the program is seeing what he calls the “paradigm shifts” within the DreamKids - that AHA moment or a particular breakthrough. Daniel loves seeing his mentees go through these shifts, as he watches them grow in confidence. One of his mentees in particular struggled with his self image. Daniel took extra time outside of group mentoring sessions to work with his mentee on his emotions and overall confidence. He went above and beyond to find ways to connect with him and activities he would respond to. This mentee's caregiver expressed so much gratitude for Daniel as she shared with us that she has seen a “shift in his overall confidence and the language he uses to describe himself.”

Whether it’s playing football with the kids or helping them with their school work, Daniel enjoys being around everyone in the program. “The staff appreciate him just as much as the kids do, he has such an organic relationship with all the kids,” says Amber Heselph, Center Director, “He really made a concerted effort to get to know the entire program, all of the kiddos, and make each kid feel special.”

“He knows the names of each and every one of the DreamKids as well as small things about them,” Amber remarked. One particular moment stands out for Amber and the staff, as Daniel shared his passion for journaling with the DreamKids. He gifted each student a journal with a personal ceramic art he crafted by hand. Daniel showed them how to use it to track their thoughts, feelings, successes, to use them as a tool for reflection, and to develop better self care practices.

With the impact Daniel has made, it is clear why he was nominated as Mentor of the Year. “This type of connection our mentors make with our DreamKids is the magic of our work; and we are incredibly grateful to Daniel and the many mentors across the country who give of their time to help build those stepping stones for our DreamKids to be successful,” said Diane Wallace Booker, Chief Strategy Officer for U.S. Dream Academy. 

Volunteering is an important value of QTS. They are a company committed to “improving communities and changing lives”. QTS has supported over 220 charitable organizations and are dedicated to giving their time, talent, and treasure to impact the community. QTS not only recognizes the Mentor of the Year, they also send special acknowledgements to all nominees for this award, “Each of these individuals have contributed in important ways to the lives of young people and the success of the U.S. Dream Academy programs,” said Dave Murray, QTS’s Senior Vice President of Community Impact.

“We are grateful for companies such as QTS who demonstrate the values of integrity, character, and trust in their corporate culture and community outreach,” shared Wintley Phipps, Founder and CEO of U.S. Dream Academy. He reminds us all that “we each may dream alone but we never achieve alone.” The support of QTS and our volunteer mentors allows U.S. Dream Academy to help thousands of young people across this nation to reach for their dreams.

We invite you to join us! Make an impact and become a volunteer mentor in the U.S. Dream Academy!

You will not only make an impact in the lives of young people but on your own life as well. 



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