For Aiden Teplitzky Dobens, managing the Kid Power, Inc. Mentoring Program in Washington, DC means constantly seeking strategic partnerships to strengthen the program. At Kid Power, volunteer mentors are matched with mentees, who they refer to as ‘protégés’, who benefit from the guidance and support of a trusted adult as they navigate their social, emotional, and educational journeys. However, one barrier to mentor recruitment is the concern about out-of-pocket expenses for outings and experiences. Access to a wide variety of free events through Tickets for Kids has been a “game changer” for both recruiting and retaining volunteers.

“Especially when a new mentor and protégé are paired, having the option to attend a ball game or visit a museum can take the pressure off finding something to talk about,” says Teplitzky Dobens. “It allows them to get to know each other in a more relaxed setting and creates a shared experience to build on.”

He also points out that when mentors and protégés first connect, they often struggle to come up with activity ideas. With a menu of options available through Tickets for Kids, it’s easier for them to pick an event and dive in. This resource also saves staff valuable time that would otherwise be spent researching free options available when the pairs can meet.

“Before Tickets for Kids,” recalls Teplitzky Dobens, “I spent a lot of time searching for free activities that might appeal to our matches. This administrative work was time-consuming and labor-intensive. Once we started working with Tickets for Kids, I found that my time was freed up to focus on more substantial issues to help the kids and improve our program management.”

Adam Aluzri, a volunteer mentor who has been working with his protégé for five months, shared that the opportunities they had in the early months of their match made all the difference.

“Sometimes young men, in particular, find it hard to open up,” said Aluzri. “Attending sporting events like the Washington Spirit and the DC Defenders—two events we went to early on—really helped us get to know each other and served as a great foundation for our relationship.”

Not every event hits a home run, but even when an outing isn’t what the pair expected, it’s still an opportunity to expose the kids to a new environment and learn something new.  Because the program is available at no cost to partners, it allows mentors the freedom to try new things like a cultural performance or rock climbing without any risk– ultimately offering an opportunity to expand their protégé’s horizons.

“We’re all about opening doors for the kids in our program,” Teplitzky Dobens adds, “and Tickets for Kids is a fantastic partner and an invaluable tool in our toolbox to advance our mission.”