January National Mentoring Month Highlight: Cormac and Kai
“In celebration of National Mentoring Month and Thank Your Mentor Day, MMP is ecstatic to share an interview with Cormac McAdams, a 2022 Celtics Hero Among Us! Cormac has been mentoring his mentee, Kain Kaba, for almost 5 years via our partner organization EVKids.
1. What does mentoring mean to you, and how has it changed your life?
To me, mentoring is about developing and nurturing a relationship with someone for whom I am invested and care deeply. Over the past few years, my relationship with my mentee, Kain, has been one of the most rewarding and meaningful in my life. Witnessing his growth through high school and now into college is an absolute privilege. While mentoring is mostly about finding ways I can support him in fully becoming the exceptional person he is, our friendship is certainly a gift in my life for which I am immensely grateful and feel blessed to have.
2. Why did you originally decide to become a mentor?
I came to EVKids largely by accident. In one of my first weeks in college, I met some of the professional staff with the organization and had a wonderful time speaking with them about the program. They convinced me to try out being a mentor and I was quickly certain that it was the right decision.
3. What is a lesson that your mentee has taught you?
I’ve learned so much over the past few years with Kain. Reflecting now, I think Kain has taught me the most about having the right priorities. Specifically, he is someone who is excellent at recognizing the value of people and knows when taking care of someone or just checking in is more important than jumping into an assignment or getting to work. I try to remember and emulate his mentality whenever I feel too busy to be present with the people in my life.
4. What is your reaction to being named a Celtics Hero Among Us?
I was very surprised and humbled to be named a Celtics Hero Among Us. I have been excited to learn more about the program and appreciate all the work the Celtics organization is doing to support our local Boston community!”
Sam Steed is the AmeriCorps Ambassador of Mentoring Communications and Network Partnerships Associate at Mass Mentoring Partnership.