It’s hard to believe that Erika Stratmann and Jenny have only known each other for a little over a year. Whenever they get together, they talk non-stop about everything and anything under the sun, from career opportunities to when Jenny’s going to be able to get her driver’s license. Jenny’s really excited to learn how to drive, even though she still has a few years to wait. Conversation hasn’t always come that easily though. Stratmann recalls that when she first met Jenny, she was a bit quiet and it took some time to strike up a conversation. Now, they warmly refer to each other as sisters and you’d never know that they are not if you measured it by the closeness of their relationship.

Stratmann and Jenny met through the SOHO - Space of Her Own mentoring program in the fall of 2012. After having spent her first five years in the City of Alexandria focused on her career, Stratmann decided that she wanted to become more connected to the community by getting involved in a meaningful way. It was through a simple Google search that she came upon SOHO - Space of Her Own. The blend of creative arts and the opportunity to empower young women drew her in and she applied.

Stratmann was eventually paired together with Jenny, a fifth-grade girl who had also applied to become a member of the program, during SOHO’s annual match night. Stratmann reminisces that the evening of the match was overwhelming, but she distinctly recalls Jenny running up and saying “I knew it was going to be you.” At that point in time, they had already spent nearly six weeks getting to know each other and the other mentors and mentees in the program.

Their bond continued to develop throughout the 2012-2013 school year through weekly SOHO meetings at the Art League. Each week, after enjoying dinner together, the pair worked on a creative arts project with instruction from a professional artist. Each art project allowed Jenny to express herself in creative ways. The art pieces were used for Jenny’s room renovation at the end of the year. Stratmann re-designed Jenny’s bedroom with all of the art projects to give Jenny a true space of her own.

Although Stratmann says that the art projects were fun, her fondest memory of their time together was the day she took Jenny to her office for a “take your child to work day”, which she transformed into “take your mentee to work day.” Jenny has always had an interest in becoming a lawyer, so Stratmann introduced her to several women in the field of law at her office. They also traveled to the courthouse, and Stratmann showed Jenny what the working world is like on a day-to-day basis. Stratmann was most impressed by Jenny’s confidence throughout the day.

For Jenny, it’s some of the smallest moments that stick out most vividly. Jenny reflects that her mentor has always been there for her, from letting her borrow her blanket during a SOHO camping trip to Camp Kekoka to understanding that her little brother needs extra patience because he has autism. Jenny’s favorite memories are ice skating together and completing art projects. After Jenny shared her memories with Stratmann, Stratmann noted that it’s the little things that don’t take a lot of time or effort that have really made a difference and made their relationship stronger. They continue to meet regularly and hope to be friends for many years to come.

Space of Her Own is now accepting applications for mentors for the 2014-2015 school year. To find out more about the program, visit www.spaceofherown.org or e-mail recruitment@spaceofherown.org.