Men Bringing Out the Best: Transforming Lives with Space of His Own

Mentors with Space of His Own take on many roles at the program, and Alvaro Rodriquez is a leading example.

Al has often stepped into a leadership role during the Space of His Own program outings and weekly sessions. He is able to look at the strengths of the group and build on each participant’s natural abilities, giving them the space to explore their talents and flourish. Program manager Ashley Snyder praises Al for his quiet leadership: “He doesn’t step to the front and just take over the entire group, he tries to find opportunities for everyone to lead.”

Al, who has served in the Army and the Marine Corps, applied some of his military expertise at the Space of His Own camping trip. During some down time, Al crafted a mock military exercise to include a run through an obstacle course, basic military calls and signals and a “special ops” mission across the camp’s main grounds. Al’s mentee Ivan loved the exercise: “The funnest part of SOHO was going to Camp Kekoka because you got to spend time with your mentor, with the SOHO group, and do lots of activities. My favorite part was the obstacle course because we got some exercise and we ran the whole course.”

Al has applied the same qualities that make him an exemplary leader to his one-on-one relationship with his mentee Ivan, who wants to be a Marine one day. Al has a knack for seeing the best in others: “There have been many moments where I’ve seen that Marine in [Ivan] peek out. His desire and commitment to improve himself and set an example are the fibers that make up a Marine.”

Program manager Ashley Snyder commented that like Al, Ivan has begun to recognize the small moments when someone is working hard or pushing beyond what they thought was possible. Many boys in Ivan’s age group can be critical, “cutting each other down” to assert themselves—but not Ivan. He encourages his peers, often piping up during group activities with positive words.

The goal of the Space of His Own program is to encourage youth with support and new experiences. As Al puts it: “To be a mentor isn’t something you can pick, it’s something within you that drives you without thinking. If you feel the drive to interact with younger children that you want to help, by all means join the program. You’re going to learn from the mentees just as much as you teach them.”

The carpentry-based Space of His Own program provides one-on-one mentoring relationships for 12 Alexandria boys each year. Unfortunately, the program’s great struggle has been finding men like Alvaro Rodriguez to volunteer as mentors with the program. Since its inception, SOHO has not been able to reach maximum capacity, serving only 10 youth per year. This year, the program must find 12 men by the end of July, or Space of His Own cannot continue. In Al’s words, “If you’re the type of man who has an open mind and a willingness to give, this is a program worth doing.” Please contact program coordinator Haley Bader if you are interested in transforming the life of a child in need. You can reach Haley by email: haley@spaceofherown.org or by phone, (703) 746-4687.