Finding Her Voice Through Mentorship: Haleluya’s Story

National Mentoring Month is a time to recognize the relationships that help young people feel supported, capable, and confident in who they are becoming. This month, we are spotlighting Haleluya Hailu, a Little Sister whose journey shows how mentorship can shape not only academic success, but self-belief, creativity, and voice.

“Being involved with Big Sisters helped me find my voice as a writer and as a singer.”

Catching Up and Going Beyond

Before meeting her Big Sister, Haleluya struggled to keep up academically. English felt particularly challenging, and over time, that struggle affected how she showed up in class. She became quieter and more reserved, feeling embarrassed about falling behind and unsure of her abilities.

“My Big Sister Cara would walk me through my English assignments and made me start thinking about what direction I wanted to go,” Haleluya recalls. “She didn’t just help me catch up, she helped me go beyond.”

Matched through the Study Buddy program, Cara became a steady and encouraging presence, helping Haleluya approach learning with curiosity and confidence. With that support, Haleluya eventually entered the Honors English program and developed strong study habits that transformed her academic journey.

Confidence Beyond the Classroom

Once school no longer felt overwhelming, Haleluya found herself with something new: free time. That space allowed her creativity to grow. She began picking up instruments, writing music, and exploring her voice as an artist.

“Having a Big Sister who pushed me academically is what helped me feel confident enough to go into the arts,” Haleluya says. “It gave me the freedom to explore who I was and who I wanted to become.”

Finding Home Within Yourself

One of Haleluya’s original songs, Postal Code, captures a defining moment in her journey. Written as she finished her first year away from home, the song reflects a period of self-discovery and recentering.

For Haleluya, Postal Code is about realizing you are the main character in your own story and understanding that home is something you carry with you.

More Than Academic Support

While the Study Buddy program focuses on academics, Haleluya’s experience shows how mentorship often reaches much further. Being supported during such a transformative time meant having someone who guided her not just through schoolwork, but through life.

“If I wasn’t in the Big Sisters program, I don’t think I would have done as well in school. Big Sisters provides a huge service to young people, giving them the chance to succeed academically, socially, and creatively.”

The greatest gift she received from her Big Sister was learning, slowly and gently, how to be a person. Cara is one of the many people who helped shape Haleluya into who she is now.

How You Can Make a Difference

This National Mentoring Month, Haleluya’s story is a powerful reminder that showing up consistently for a young person can change the course of their life, sometimes starting with homework and leading all the way to finding their voice.

Watch the full video and become a volunteer mentor today to support youth like Haleluya and help them find their confidence, creativity, and voice.