The Hidden Reason One-Year Mentors Change Kids for Life

This is the story of building trust, keeping kids engaged, and turning everyday experiences into life-changing growth - and what mission-driven leaders can learn from it. In this conversation, you'll learn: ✅ Why mentorship has to be individualized, not one-size-fits-all✅ How a one-year connection can become a real life impact, and why longer relationships matter✅ What it takes to run a small nonprofit with limited staff, limited volunteers, and big demandThis episode is for mission-driven leaders who want to expand program reach, strengthen participant retention, and build deeper community trust.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Meeting Ali Teesdale and introducing Brookings County Youth Mentoring1:00 - Kayaking, bowling, golfing, and helping kids step outside their comfort zone2:20 - Why the next generation needs communication skills and community connection3:44 - The personal roots behind Ali's passion for mentorship7:04 - From biology to speech language pathology to nonprofit leadership8:28 - How a Vista gap year led to a career in nonprofit management9:36 - Leading Brookings County Youth Mentoring as executive director10:23 - The hidden challenges of fundraising and small-town nonprofit politics11:16 - A waiting list of 30 to 50 kids and growing demand for mentors12:13 - Why college mentors are valuable, and why community mentors create longevity13:33 - The research behind the one-year mentoring milestone15:24 - A former mentee now becoming a potential work study student16:38 - Wearing every hat in a small organization18:43 - Staying connected during breaks, summer, and holidays19:13 - Thanksgiving gatherings, games, and keeping relationships going23:21 - Why South Dakota needs a statewide mentoring network25:30 - Golf, family, and what Ali does when she is off the clock27:39 - The leadership advice that changed everything: fake it till you make it31:49 - Where to find Brookings County Youth Mentoring👤 ABOUT ALI TEESDALE: Ali Teesdale is the executive director of Brookings County Youth Mentoring, a small nonprofit in Brookings, South Dakota that matches volunteer mentors with local kids. Her work focuses on helping young people build confidence, connect with their community, and discover what they are capable of.🔗 Organization Website: https://bcymentoring.org🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE: Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, hosts sit down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.🔗 CONNECT WITH US:FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.aiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis#NonprofitLeadership #Mentorship #CommunityImpact