How would you describe Jeffrey? What an amazing child. Jeffrey is very intelligent, inquisitive, and observant. I was worried at first about how to hold a conversation with someone of his age, but that worry was quickly dispelled. He’s quite the conversationalist! He’s also very outgoing, always stopping to say hello to his schoolmates, and knows them all by name – even those in other grades. Jeffrey is humble, kind, and strives to be a good friend to his peers. All in all, he is a pleasure to be around.

What do you enjoy most about your time with him? I really enjoy just “hanging out” with Jeffrey – whether we’re playing with Legos, making paper airplanes, or just running around in circles (that kid is full of energy!), Jeffrey is always laughing, telling stories, and asking questions. He’s a good listener and quick to share his view on different things with me.

Have you noticed any changes in Jeffrey since you started meeting with him? I have! At our first couple of meetings Jeffrey was a little timid – I think he was feeling me out a little before opening up. But now I feel like we’re old friends. I look forward to our meetings, and I think he does as well (at least I hope so!). We have a good time together!

What do you like best about being an Elevator? Just having a new friend is enough to make joining the program worth it for me, but there’s also a sense of pride found in making a difference for Jeffrey. I can tell his confidence has increased, and I feel like mine has, too. Also, my job can be somewhat stressful at times, and taking a little time out of my week to visit with Jeffrey is a great way to get my mind off of work and chill out with my buddy.