Dionne Guischard

Dear AFETT,

I am a professional woman who wants to support young girls in my community, but I am not sure where to start.

How can I make a meaningful impact?

Dear reader,

I love that you’re at that stage in your professional journey where you’re ready to pay it forward.

It’s a beautiful transition and there’s no better way to pay it forward than empowering young people to create the future they deserve.

The truth is that there are many ways to support young girls but the best place to start is with what feels meaningful to you. So, let’s explore a few options.

Be the mentor you wish you had

I remember seeing a post on LinkedIn a while ago that said, "Be the mentor you wish you had." It really stuck with me because it’s such a simple but powerful idea.

When you reflect on your own journey, who helped you along the way, offered advice, encouragement or a listening ear when you needed it?

That is the kind of support you can offer young girls in your community as a mentor.

The magic of mentorship is that it doesn’t have to be formal, like a structured programme or commitment. It can be informal too.

It’s about showing up, being present and offering guidance in a way that feels natural. Maybe you know a young girl in your community who has the potential to shine with a little support.

[caption id="attachment_1134350" align="alignnone" width="828"] Dionne Guischard, director of social outreach, AFETT -[/caption]

It could be as simple as chatting about her dreams and challenges or offering advice when she’s feeling unsure about her future.

You don’t have to have all the answers, just a willingness to be there and help her to recognise her potential. The key is that small, consistent acts of support can have a huge impact.

If you’re like me and need the structure of a formal programme to keep you accountable, there are plenty of mentorship opportunities available through schools, community organisations and NGOs.

At AFETT, we take pride in our REACH mentorship programme, which helps connect professional women with teen girls, to provide support and guidance.

It’s a great option if you’re looking for a structured way to get involved, as the programme gives mentors the tools and resources needed to make a lasting difference. Plus, you’ll be part of a community that helps you stay committed, while making an impact in a young girl’s life.

Mentorship is about offering support in a way that feels natural and meaningful. It doesn’t have to be intimidating or complicated.

So, whether you take a formal approach or prefer something more informal, the key is committing to being present and guiding your mentee towards their dreams and through their challenges.

For your young charges, having you as their mentor can make a world of difference. It gives them the confidence to believe in themselves, the guidance to make better decisions and the support they need to reach their goals.

Create spaces where girls can thrive

You may not want the long-term commitment that mentor