Yatziri and Karen were matched in our Community program in 2009 when Yatziri was just 8 years old. From their first introduction Karen knew that she and Yatziri had a special connection and over the years, that connection only grew stronger. Yatziri’s mom was always incredibly invested and supportive of the match and would invite Karen to their many family functions. Karen was always excited to attend and get to know Yatziri and her family better.
Both Karen and Yatziri are easy to laugh, fun, and upbeat. Their friendship and the openness and honesty that they share is palpable. Their favorite memories center around the moments where they tried something new including eating sushi and skiing. Yatziri trusts Karen and is always willing to step outside of her comfort zone and try something new, even when she doesn’t like it (bell peppers—gross!).
Over the last 10 years, Karen has traveled extensively and had to relocate for her work. Despite the distances, the two remained close, keeping in touch through social media and text messages all while making sure to honor the special moments in each other’s lives. Karen has always been a trusted and supportive role model for Yatziri, and she encourages her to follow her heart and her gut. Yatziri recently reflected upon a time in school where she felt like she wasn’t in an environment that supported her learning and her ambitions. Karen encouraged her to advocate for her education and to take the initiative to find a school environment where Yatziri could thrive.
Yatziri is now 18 years old and a high school graduate of Girls Athletic Leadership School (GALS). She plans to pursue a college education and become a registered nurse. When asked what makes their match so successful Yatziri said, “we have similar but opposite personalities and we were both willing to let the other in and share our stories.” Karen also attributed Yatziri’s mom and her willingness to trust in the program and in Karen as a key component of their success. “We committed to each other from the very beginning and we didn’t let anything get in the way of the commitment,” said Karen. She’s awesome and I’m so lucky to be her friend!”