In this episode of the You Can Mentor Podcast, Zachary Garza interviews John Shearer, leader of Academy 4, a nonprofit mentoring over 4,200 fourth graders annually by partnering with local churches to build sustainable relationships with schools and families. John shares how his cancer journey led him to nonprofit work and highlights Academy Four’s programs, which equip children with leadership skills and foster community engagement. With a focus on love, service, and long-term commitment, the episode explores how mentoring transforms both children and volunteers, demonstrating the power of intentional relationships to create lasting change. https://academy4.org/

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Key Points

• Academy Four's programs include Spark Clubs and mentoring sessions.
• The mentoring program helps children develop leadership skills.
• Parents play a crucial role in their children's education and development.
• Academy Four aims to equip parents through community programs.
• The organization has a waiting list of schools wanting to join.
• John believes in the power of community involvement for positive change. Sustainability is key for community partnerships.
• Long-term commitment leads to deeper impact.
• Mentoring is about building relationships, not just numbers.
• Volunteers often receive more than they give.
• Love and service can transform communities.
• Every child deserves to feel known and cared for.
• Effective mentoring requires intentionality and structure.
• Community engagement can break down barriers.
• Relationships are reciprocal; both mentors and mentees benefit.
• The mission is to love and serve, not to fix.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Academy Four and John Shearer
05:07 John's Journey to Academy Four
09:56 The Mission and Programs of Academy Four
15:07 Building Relationships with Churches and Schools
24:55 Building Sustainable Community Partnerships
29:54 Long-Term Commitment to Schools
35:57 The Power of Love and Service
41:48 Transformative Relationships in Mentoring
47:52 Community Impact Through Mentoring

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