Belief in Action: How Mentorship Changes Lives

When was the last time someone told you they believed in you? For many, those simple words can unlock a world of possibility. For the youth in foster care at Heartshare, belief is more than a word—it’s the foundation for transformation.

Ann Cole, a Heartshare board member and mentor, knows firsthand what belief can do. When she met teenager Olivia Mazyck through Heartshare’s American Dream Program two years ago, Olivia was already remarkable: focused, determined, and aspiring to be an attorney. But what struck Ann most was Olivia’s self-advocacy—a quality that would serve her well as she overcame a challenging past.

At a critical milestone in Olivia's life—applying for college—Ann and Olivia met weekly to discuss the process, imagine what college might look like, and prepare for the next step. Ann even joined Olivia on a college tour, supporting her at every turn.

“Olivia was just an amazing young woman when we started,” Ann recalls. “I can't take any credit for that. I can simply say that I was just another person who could offer her that added support.”

Olivia’s journey is a testament to the power of belief. Removed from her mother’s care at age 11 and placed in foster care, Olivia faced a fractured world. She shut down, unsure how to move forward.  

“Before foster care, I had left school in the third grade. I hadn’t had medical care in years. I didn’t know how to care for myself properly — even common knowledge of simple self-care was something I had to learn from scratch. I felt embarrassed, like I had missed out on everything kids my age were supposed to know. I felt invisible, and worse — like I wasn’t worth the effort.”

But piece by piece, the belief of those around her—her foster family, her mentor Miss Ann, and supporters in the Heartshare community—helped her rise.  She discovered that she loved learning. She started setting goals for herself and slowly stopped believing the lie that she wasn’t worth anything.  

“Years later, I walked across the stage to receive my high school diploma, Magna Cum Laude—something that once felt impossible,” Olivia shares. “And today, after years of feeling left behind, not only do I feel like I can finally catch up, but maybe I can even go further.”

Being a board member, Ann explains, is not just about attending occasional programs or events. It’s about building relationships that make Heartshare's mission real. “With a one-on-one relationship like mine with Olivia, you see Heartshare’s work firsthand. It becomes more meaningful, personal, and rewarding.”

This past November, Ann watched proudly as Olivia, now a thriving college student in Manhattan, accepted the 2025 Youth of the Year Award at Heartshare’s Fall Benefit benefiting St. Vincent’s Family Services and heard the exciting news that Olivia’s foster family would be officially adopting her and her two sisters the very next day. Ann is grateful for her relationship with Olivia and for the resources available to Olivia through the American Dream Program (ADP). “She's having this total college experience, and she couldn't have that without Heartshare. She would not have that without the ADP program.”

As Olivia looks to the future, she knows her journey is far from over, but her ability to continue rising means taking pride in who she has become and recognizing the fire inside her that refuses to burn out. For Ann, she hopes Olivia continues pursuing her dreams, but most importantly continues to be exactly who she is, that remarkable young lady she met on day one.