Mentor Highlight | Steve Abraham
Steve Abraham came to Take Stock in Children of Manatee County through an introduction from mentor Ivory Matthews, but the choice to mentor fit a longer pattern in his life. He has always tried to nudge his nieces and nephews to look past what school or a tight circle might place in front of them; mentoring felt like a way to keep doing that work with a wider reach. Curiosity, he believes, is a skill worth practicing.
Steve has mentored two students so far and is currently paired with his second. He describes his approach as conversational and balanced. “I want my mentee to feel like a full partner in the room, not a kid being managed,” he says. “I try to be the other person in the conversation, treat my mentee as an adult, and not make everything my view of the world.”
Most of the challenges his mentees have faced are not uncommon: tough subjects, test pressure, and the frustration that comes with both. Instead of rushing to fix things, Steve focuses on how a student approaches a problem. He asks what they tried, what they learned, and what they might do next. The habit of thinking through a problem matters as much as the grade.
His hopes for the students he meets are wide and practical. “It’s a big world with a lot of opportunities,” he says. “Look around and try something new for yourself.” Steve believes successful mentorship starts with trust. A teenager who has a steady adult to talk with–someone outside the daily swirl of school and family–can begin to imagine different paths.
To anyone considering mentoring, Steve offers advice that matches his style. “Meet the mentee where they are at,” he says, “and listen more than you talk.”
If you’ve ever wondered whether you could make a difference, here’s your answer: you can. Students across Manatee County are waiting for someone just like you—a steady adult who listens, believes in them, and shows up.
Join Steve and become a mentor. Apply today: https://bit.ly/TSICManateeMentors