Natalie Foster says that volunteering at St. Andrew’s School is like a “reverse mentoring relationship.”
“I like to say that the girls are mentoring me. It’s really about being a caring adult in their lives,” she says.
Foster started volunteering in January 2018, after taking a tour of the school. She works for Virginia Mentoring Partnership, one of our community partners, who encourages their staff to go out in the community and mentor.
“I had known about St. Andrew’s School for about five years, and when I saw the opportunity, I chose St. Andrew’s,” she says. “I really like the Lunch Buddy program, and they sometimes have you start with First Graders with the intention that you’ll stay with them through Fifth Grade. I like that experience – building a relationship and getting to know them.”
Foster says likes knowing she’s making a difference in the students’ lives, and that they’re constantly giving her new perspectives.