Assia & Alice

Assia and Alice have developed such a special connection, that even their families are now friends with each other. They both work to be active together in their community, and while Assia is now in college, she still considers Alice to be an important and crucial person in her life.

Name of Mentee: Assia
Name of Mentor: Alice Urban
Mentoring Program: U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) Vermont: Crossroads Mentoring Program
Program Type: Community-Based
Length of Their Match: 5 years
Age of Mentee: 18

About This Match:

The Mentee

“Alice has become a member of my family, and I believe the successful mentoring relationship was the friendship that grew between our families. I got to meet her family, and she got to meet mine, which has strengthened our bond. Alice became a very significant part of my life; she was there when I graduated from high school, and she helped me adjust to the education system in the U.S. She was there at one of the most difficult times of my life when I was applying to colleges and she is still there for me now in college, which I appreciate. What I’m trying to say is that Alice is always there for me; she is not just my mentor, but also a family member, and I am eternally thankful. Alice and I share a bond that extends beyond the mentoring program itself. Through my involvement with Crossroads and my connection to Alice, I have increased self-confidence, self-awareness, leadership skills, communication abilities, and have extended my personal network.” -Assia

The Mentor

“Assia and I both moved to Vermont in September 2016 and while our relocations to Chittenden County were under very different circumstances, that newness to the area gave us something in common when we were matched by USCRI. Our relationship has had a significant impact on me for several reasons; first, it’s been a way for Assia and me both to develop a sense of community. Our families have become friends, and we’ve been part of each other’s significant life events. Second, it’s allowed me to support Assia and her family as they transitioned to life in the U.S. Assia worked diligently through the demanding college application process, and it was my privilege to support her in her success. She is now a first-year student at Brandeis University, where she is majoring in international and global studies. Third, Assia’s resilience, enthusiasm, and drive to make the world a better place in her community and globally is inspiring. She has a bright future, and I am grateful to be a part of it.” – Alice

Assia and Alice were honored by Comcast and MENTOR Vermont as 2022 Vermont Ambassadors of Mentoring!