Everyday Connections

At the heart of our mission, On the Road believes that learning happens through connection and shared experiences. Our community is not built through a singular moment, but over time through various experiences inside and outside of the classroom. Whether it is a field trip, classroom activity, or casual conversation, our youth leaders serve as more than mentors and form meaningful connections that highlight the lived experiences and identities of our youth.

The importance of these connections is easy to see in the relationship between 8th Grade Academy youth leader James Snyder and 8th grader Abdoullah Almdi, at Thomas Harrison Middle School. The two began working with each other in March 2025 and since then, the relationship has become meaningful for both of them.

Abdoullah joined On the Road last spring after learning about the program from a teacher during the school day. Since then, the unique experiences and community oriented values of our program have kept him coming back. He explains that “The teachers [youth leaders] like helping you a lot, and the field trips, and the fun activities and I have lots of friends at On the Road too.” This reflects that the strengths of our program are found both in the variety of opportunity and the meaningful connections that these experiences create.

Abdoullah describes his youth leader Mr. James as “Always chill and wanting to help other students” He highlights a defining element of mentorship in informal learning spaces, emphasizing that On the Road’s impact is shaped not just by formal instruction but by the genuine, trusting relationships that we create with our students.

Mr. James shares that building relationships with youth is both meaningful and intentional. He strives to come to program with an open mind, grounded in curiosity and kindness. “Everyday there is something new to learn about the youth in our programs” he says, adding “I don’t know how their day has been before I get to program, and I come with an open mind when I come to work, and am happy to chat about anything. This mindset is integral to On the Roads values and helps create an environment where young people feel safe and are able to be themselves without hesitation.

The strength of their connection shows up most clearly in the classroom. As the youth leader for 8th Grade Academy, James guides a class where guest speakers introduce different career pathways and encourage youth to explore a variety of interests. One memory that is important to both James and Abdoullah is a graphic design session, where Abdoullah designed a logo for a future soccer company. During this activity the two worked together throughout the creative process. James uses opportunities like this to combine guidance with student creativity, allowing youth to take the lead while offering support when needed. This reflects the role of mentorship in our program as a foundation for both academic growth and self-discovery.

Across all the interactions that take place at On the Road, the most important part of the program is learning about the unique interests, goals and passions of each student. Through mentorship and community oriented values, our youth leaders strive to learn what our students enjoy and are motivated by.

Abdoullah emphasizes the program’s variability as one of its best attributes, sharing that, “everyday is different, and it’s fun having field trips, free time, activities, and sometimes winning prizes” Many students enjoy the variety of activities and the spaces that are created for new interests to be discovered.

James captures this same idea with a metaphor, describing On the Road as a “charcuterie board of different activities and enrichments” adding, “There is a diversity of stuff that can be offered.” This reflects both a sense of variety and intentional structure, within an inclusive environment that has something available for everyone, and where diversity serves as the foundation for relationship building.

The impact of these experiences on our youth show up in both subtle and direct ways. Abdoullah shares that On the Road has helped him academically, but from a broader perspective says “Being in On the Road has shown me so many new things.” This reflects our belief that exposure to new ideas and ways of thinking plays an important role in shaping student growth and making program meaningful.

Moreover, the benefits of the program are not limited to youth but important to our youth leaders as well. James shares that, “On the Road has shown me that there is a lot of opportunity for them [young people]. These kids have good heads on their shoulders, and they are going to have good futures and they are going to work hard. It’s inspiring and brings me up knowing that my students are good.” The connections made during our programs flow both directions. While youth are supported and guided, they also bring energy and inspiration to the youth leaders who work alongside them.

Part of what makes our environment different from a traditional school day is the size and flexibility of the program. Abdoullah noted that “On the Road has a small number of people in each class, so if you are shy and don’t want to talk in front of a lot of people you can talk in On the Road. Here it is fun, we get to go outside, do some fun activities, play games and see guest speakers.” Abdoullah’s experience captures our belief that every voice matters and should have a space to be heard. Our small classrooms create space for quieter voices, while the informal structure allows for creativity and exploration.

Within this space, individual personalities stand out and impact the collective energy of students. James describes Abdoullah’s presence as “static electricity,” saying, “whenever I see him his face kind of just lights up and gets people excited about different things. He has a very warm energy.” Abdoullah says that “Mr. James is a helper, he likes to help people a lot and always checks on us.” Together, these reflections speak to the consistency and support that define strong mentoring relationships. Moreover, they demonstrate how attentiveness to the lived experiences of students forms the foundation of the connections between youth and youth leaders in our program.