In the Spotlight: Connie Ellis
Connie Ellis, left, believes the key to developing a successful mentoring relationship is to listen and be non-judgmental while the interactions evolve.
The mentor coordinator at the U.S. Dream Academy, Connie Ellis, has served in her current role for nearly four years. She has been engaged in mentoring for quite some time, having previously served as the program assistant for the U.S. Dream Academy. Thus, Ellis passionate about her connections with mentoring because she believes the children of our community need guidance and encouragement, and that mentoring can provide these supportive educational tools.
Ellis claims that her preparation for her current role as the mentor coordinator at the U.S. Dream Academy started with her previous work involving troubled individuals. She became a drug and alcohol counselor where she gained useful experience from situations that were truly touching. By getting to
know the distressed individuals and their families, Ellis was able to realize her passion for helping other. Most people she counseled had criminal histories many lacked fathers, and many were subjected to traumatic experiences as children. Ellis could not keep herself from feeling inclined to help.
After joining the U.S. Dream Academy as a consultant, Ellis “got hooked” once the target of the program was identified as children of prisoners. Ellis became absorbed in looking after children who were born
into a life of trauma and dilemmas. Knowing how impressionable these children were. Ellis directed her energy and attention toward improving their lives.
The best advice Ellis would give to someone who is thinking of becoming a mentor is that they need to have fun. She explains that the “key to developing a successful mentor/mentee relationship is to listen and be non-judgmental while the interactions evolve.” Ellis believes “the Memphis community should know that the hour you spend with your mentee will be the best hour that you spend in your day. You as the mentor will get so much more out of the experience than you could ever possibly imagine.”