Hunter and Mr. Sean - Hampton Roads, VA

The Up Center

Hunter and I have been matched with Team Up since January 2007. During the past three years, we have spent time together at least once a week doing a variety of activities all over Hampton Roads, including ice skating at MacArthur Mall, playing mini-golf in Virginia Beach, playing games at Harbor Park and the Scope, and going to monster truck races at the Hampton Coliseum and the Harlem Globe Trotters at the Ted Constant Convention Center. On other outings, we have played video games and board games, participated in running races or gone to the pool to improve Hunter’s swimming abilities. The experience of mentoring Hunter has been very rewarding. Seeing his self-esteem improve, his dedication to excelling in school and his growing into a young adult is challenging as well as satisfying because I know I can be a positive male role model in his life. Whether we are just throwing the football around on a Saturday afternoon or on our way to see a movie, our time together is valuable because we can discuss his goals, future jobs and how to be successful in life. After Hunter heard about my adventures on board CGC BEAR after a deployment, he is now looking toward a career in the Coast Guard. Through our time together, we have created a bond that will last a lifetime.