A Gift of Guidance: How Mentorship Lights the Path to Success
At The Children’s Village, we believe that a caring adult can change a young person’s life. This holiday season, we’re honored to highlight Bernese Nesbit, a dedicated mentor in our Arches Transformative Mentoring Program. His journey of overcoming personal struggles to mentor youth is a testament to the power of resilience and hope. Bernese’s path to mentorship began as a Pinkerton fellow at John Jay College, where he met Carl Johnson, CV’s Division Director of Transformative Mentoring Initiatives. Bernese was drawn to CV’s mission, which resonated with his own experiences growing up without positive male role models. “I made poor decisions in my youth, and it wasn’t until I was incarcerated that I realized I wanted to make a difference,” he shares.
Having been a mentor for over six years, Bernese has seen the profound changes mentoring can have on youth in the program. One mentee, initially resistant and attending only because of legal requirements, eventually grew to appreciate the program. “When they choose to further their education, it’s the best feeling,” Bernese says. “Helping them change their thinking changes their actions.”
In addition to this important work, Bernese has also enrolled in law school, walking the walk to show the importance of education. “I want youth to see that setbacks don’t define you. If I can overcome mine, they can overcome theirs,” he explains. His legal education, especially in critical race theory, helps him advocate for the youth he mentors, many of whom face limited access to resources and opportunities.
Through restorative justice circles, Bernese helps foster a sense of accountability and unity among youth in the program. “Community plays a huge role in success,” he says. “Getting kids from different backgrounds to see eye to eye is powerful.” His own mentor has also been a source of guidance, teaching him the importance of being a good mentee to be a great mentor.
This holiday season, we invite you to make a difference by becoming a mentor at The Children’s Village. As Bernese says, “Mentorship is about showing young people that change is possible.”