Story of the One - The Power of Mentorship

Raechel Warren, T.R.A.C.life mentor

I discovered T.R.A.C. when searching for a way to serve in my new church after moving to Omaha, Nebraska. I had never been a camp counselor, and my only experience with children in foster care were my cousins who I saw once a year at our family reunion. I felt unqualified and incredibly nervous to serve as a camp counselor for young women who had grown up and faced things I couldn’t even comprehend. I really wasn’t sure what exactly I had to offer, but I was told that just showing up with a smile on my face would make a difference. I could do that! 

After a college soccer injury kept me confined to a dorm room bed and forced to re-envision my future, I had a moment of deep reflection. A longtime coach, mentor and friend, called me and reminded me of what really mattered. She told me to remember that I was more than just an athlete, a soccer player or a roller skater. My coach reminded me I had gained many skills from those experiences that had shaped me, and it was up to me to use those skills for other things. It was then that I realized just how lucky I had been to grow up with MANY people in my life who wanted to see me succeed, and who had poured into me along the way. They had mentored me to become the woman I am today. That year, as a local titleholder in the Miss America Organization, I chose to champion mentorship as my service initiative. I knew what mentoring had done for my life, and I recognized that many young people didn’t have access to these life-changing relationships. It would be eight years until I found T.R.A.C., but I was drawn to the mission behind camp, and the T.R.A.C.life program to help young people of all circumstances achieve their potential. 

My first camp was a blast. T.R.A.C. was definitely out of my comfort zone, but I gave it to the Lord, reached out to great prayer partners, and ended up being paired with two of the most fun young girls. We really bonded, especially over horseback riding! I remember being worried that we would have nothing to talk about, but I learned that listening was almost more powerful than talking. 

At the end of camp, the T.R.A.C.life directors talked about the power of mentorship, and what being a mentor could mean to these campers. One of my campers turned to me and said, “I used to have a mentor, but she moved away. I’ve been on a waitlist for four years.”  

I was shocked. Four years?! How were there not enough adults in the city of Omaha willing to spend time with a middle schooler?! 

I knew I couldn’t tell her no. You should have seen her! How could anyone tell her no?! As someone committed to advocating for mentoring, the power of which I had experienced firsthand, I signed up that evening. While we knew there were no guarantees we would be paired together, I truly hoped we would be. Not just for my sake, but for her. 

This past summer was my third camp, and this fall will be our third year together as a match. She just started high school, and we had a whole conversation about the importance of a savings account! 

I was honored to win the title of Miss Nebraska 2024 within the Miss America Organization. This was a goal I had been working toward for nearly a decade, all the while advocating for mentorship. For years prior, I had used the local crowns as microphones to amplify this cause. I called it Passion to Purpose. My goal was to ensure that all young people had access to mentorship and the opportunities that would help them discover their God-Given purpose. Working with various organizations like the YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, and even starting my own website, I was committed to doing all the things! But it was the year before becoming Miss Nebraska where I felt like all the pieces fell into place.  

My involvement with T.R.A.C. taught me how to be a better mentor. I became a spokesperson for MENTOR Nebraska, a state affiliate of MENTOR National, helping mentoring programs succeed across the state. Winning the title took these partnerships to new levels, and my mentee got to come along for the ride. Our year together looked a little different, but she was so gracious and supportive. She also really loved riding around in the Miss Nebraska Mobile! All in all, this year taught me so much about not only being a better mentor, but how to discuss hard things with a young person, and how to not just talk the talk but walk the walk. 

There were moments I felt bad about not being able to see my mentee as much, but it was our T.R.A.C.life director, Mike, who reminded me that it’s not what you DO that matters. It’s how you SHOW UP. He told me of the growth he had seen in my mentee over the last two years, and the confidence she had developed. It was so special to be able to take her story with me to Miss America. During my private interview with the judges, I was not only able to share how proud I was of my advocacy efforts, partnerships, and community engagement, but when I walked out of that room, I was most proud that I was able to share about my mentee and the impact she had had on my life. I left Miss America with no regrets, because I had shared my story, my heart, and the importance of mentorship with true authenticity. 

You see, mentorship isn’t about what you do. It’s not about your qualifications, your education, or even your life experience. We all come from different backgrounds. And what I learned from T.R.A.C. is that it’s not our job to CHANGE the youth; it’s our job to show up for them. As one of my favorite mentoring advocates says, youth don’t need mentors, they DESERVE them. And these kiddos facing foster care? They deserve them even more. 

T.R.A.C. challenges me every year for a variety of reasons. But no matter what happens before, during, or after camp, the youth bring me back. For three whole days, they are the only focus. Fun is a top priority and helping them feel God’s unwavering love for his daughters is the ultimate objective. 

Thank you, T.R.A.C., for making me better and impacting my life. But mostly thank you, T.R.A.C., for how you continue to change the life TRAJECTORIES of young people who wear those neon green shirts each and every year.