Mentor Spotlight (May): Ashley Silver

Ashley Silver
is our first second generation lifestyle mentor. She joined us in January. Listen to her story:


My lifestyle mentor during my high school years was Jenn Zeulner. Seeing how great Jenn turned out after all her obstacles she had overcome as a teen gave me hope, I looked up to her. She was an anchor for me as I stumbled through high school - a friend in my times of need. I believe every high school student should have someone older in their life (besides a parent - because let’s just be honest - what high school student listens to their parents?). I am now apart of Project Hangout and loving on a small group of girls. “Kim” is a great example of the type of ministry Project Hangout is offering. Kim came to a youth group only because she had gotten in trouble in school. Her parents forced her to come. It was either being locked up in a house with her family, or church. She chose church, to come and sit in a corner. Kim and I connected at a winter camp that I was asked to counsel. Through a 7 hour car ride and endless hours in a hotel room with the power out and a storm raging outside, we grew close. I became someone she could relate to and open up with. She began to spill her heart and ask me questions she didn’t think she could ask her parents or even friends her age. After the trip was over, we began to hangout and I got to know her in her own environment. One day I received a call from Kim’s mother. She called to tell me of the great impact I had on Kim. Her mom explained in detail the transformation that was beginning to take place every time we hung out. The mom stressed how much Kim looked up to me. I am committed to my relationship with Kim and I’ve learned that it takes time; teens just want someone to listen, someone to talk to, to laugh with and someone to trust. I am a lifestyle mentor and one day my hope is that Kim would follow in my footsteps.

--Ashley

Age: 20
Town: Lake Forest
Church: Saddleback, Lake Forest
Group: 2-3 core, relational including coffee, hanging out and shopping.
Meet: Weekly