The Impact of Long-Term Mentorship (feat. Brandon Denton, Friends of the Children Houston)
Do you know what the single most important factor in overcoming childhood adversity is? Research found that it is a long-term, nurturing relationship with a consistent and caring adult.
Today, we are talking with Brandon Denton who has an impressive resume full of experiences and passion. Brandon was the Founding Executive Director of Friends of the Children Houston, an organization that is seeking to create generational change by pairing youth facing some of life’s greatest obstacles with a professional mentor for twelve years. Prior to this role, he spent seven years as a public administrator in various roles and departments in the city of Houston.
In this episode, Brandon shares with us why relationships are the key to future success, the role building trust has over time, some stories of hope, and much more!
You can also find this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more.
Key Takeaways
- Relationships are the key. It all comes down to having someone who cares. It is through relationship that we can build trust over time to foster growth and help children develop critical life skills. By developing a relationship early on, we are helping children receive their unit, their community, and find success.
- Collaboration magnifies our impact. As organizations and individuals working toward the same goal, we are not in competition with one another. We can work together knowing that collaboration helps lift the load off of everyone. It is an honor to work together and get to celebrate needs getting met together.
- Early intervention makes all the difference in the world. We want to be present in a child’s life when the foundation is being set and issues are just starting to develop. This early intervention helps minimize the challenges they will face later in life. By being a constant presence and supporting them across twelve years (and sometimes beyond), we are helping build a strong foundation and a connection to a supportive community.
Resources
Meet the Guest
Brandon Denton was the Founding Executive Director of Friends of the Children Houston, a certified leadership coach, a trainer, and a speaker. Prior to this role, he spent seven years as a public administrator in various roles and departments in the city of Houston. Most recently, Brandon served as the Director of My Brother’s Keeper Houston, a backbone initiative founded by President Barack Obama to address persistent opportunity gaps facing boys and young men of color. Brandon has a passion to improve the lives of youth and young adults by providing them with access to opportunities, encouragement, and possibilities for positive life outcomes.
