Agustin: My interest in social impact work started when I was six-years-old. During a family road trip, my family and I drove across the country to attend the USA Track & Field Cross Country National Championships. Along the way, we had the privilege of visiting a Native American reservation.

As a six-year-old, you know very little about the world and the climate of our society, but you can still pick up on things that just feel off. I immediately observed that kids my age were taking turns playing around with a single pair of athletic shoes. This was confusing to me, as kids in my own community could afford to switch out shoes every racing season for both cross country and track and field.

As I grew up, I was increasingly curious about connecting communities and bridging issues of accessibility toward basic necessities all while upholding my appreciation for the environment. During my freshman year of high school, I launched a 501(c)3 nonprofit called SOLE2SOUL which continues to be dedicated to promoting sustainability and social responsibility through the reuse and repurpose of athletic shoes.

Whiteman: The great Jackie Robinson once said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” To be a mentor means serving as an advocate, an ally and a supporter. It means providing guidance and advice in a manner that is both delicate and forward. It means being a great listener and knowing when to help solve a problem or simply be a sounding board.

Mentorship is the gratitude that we extend for the benefits that we’ve experienced in our own journeys. It is an opportunity to share words of advice that include our personal experience while never minimizing the importance of allowing the mentee to learn important lessons on their own.

Whiteman: Serving as a mentor allows me to take a step back and view the Dodgers Foundation’s work through a different lens. It’s easy to become entrenched in the daily logistics of facilitating our award-winning programs. Serving as a mentor is an invitation to step back and view our efforts through the perspective of others. When I share my work with a mentee, they ask questions that inspire me to take a deeper dive into how we can truly breathe life into our mission.

Agustin: We need to humanize social entrepreneurship. As changemakers and entrepreneurs, we take it upon ourselves to sacrifice our wellbeing for the sake of our projects. And while advocacy and entrepreneurship require risk and sacrifice, our initiatives are doomed to fail if we do not account for our own wellbeing and for the wellbeing of the teams we work with.

Whiteman: I have truly enjoyed mentoring Russell and he exemplifies what it means to absorb information and execute. He asks specific questions, he does the “homework,” and he acts. I was mentoring Russell at a moment where I was learning to lead a new generation. It’s been mutually beneficial, which is always what mentors and mentees should seek. As a mentor, I have learned more about the pressures of living in an era that stresses instant gratification. Our conversations have heightened my empathy. I share tactical solutions with Russell regarding strategies to achieve his professional goals.

I will always recall when Russell told me that he applied to serve as a Dodgers Foundation associate. I had shared the opportunity with Russell but wasn’t aware that he was applying. When he shared the news with me, I was beaming. Our associates program is just the type of development I had been encouraging Russell to seek given his career interests and areas of opportunity. I’m excited to see his growth.

Whiteman: We hear so much advice about working hard. And I absolutely agree that dedication is a key component to success. But I also encourage mentees to rest in totality: your mind and your body. Learn early to be comfortable asserting that your life is important. Sometimes it’s difficult to put ourselves first but you must. You have a right to take care of your physical and emotional health. You have a right to feel appreciated and supported.

As you soar and earn accolades, be proud of your roots. Many of the young people who I mentor come from working families who faced hurdles that test their endurance. Imposter syndrome will have us asking “Do we have what it takes to make it?” And the answer is “Yes, we do.” We are built to excel. We are built to win and we will. I use the word “we” because as much as mentees are inspired by my words, these affirmations are also a reminder to myself to continue striving while taking the time to celebrate the now and indulge in the rest that we all deserve.

Agustin: What you put in is what you get out. If admitted, work to engage with your peers and your mentors, ask questions, don't be afraid to tell people that you have no idea what you are doing with your life and soak in insights from any and all meetings you will have in the program.