With Art and Heart, Volunteer Mentors Underserved Students

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Connie Jeung-Mills. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Growing up as a mixed-race student in predominantly white schools, Connie Jeung-Mills faced discrimination but also discovered the transformative power of mentors who believed in her. Those experiences stayed with her, shaping both her identity and her conviction that young people deserve adults in their lives who will listen without judgment.

Now, 70, retired from a career at California College of the Arts where she co-founded the Creative Citizens in Action initiative, Connie brings that same passion for art and authenticity to her volunteer work with the San Francisco Education Fund as a mentor for the San Francisco Unified School District’s Mentoring for Success program. Since starting last year, Connie has been mentoring three students at three different Title I schools, going above and beyond by continuing to meet with them even as they enter high school. With art supplies in hand, she creates a safe space where her mentees can express themselves through collages and other projects, building trust, boosting confidence and encouraging them to stay in school.

What inspired you to start volunteering?

I had just retired from California College of the Arts, where I co-founded the Creative Citizens in Action program. That work focused on channeling students’ creativity into civic engagement and direct action, and it made me realize how much I loved working with young people.
When I retired, I wanted to continue in that spirit—getting involved in the community and connecting with youth in a meaningful way. I started researching volunteer opportunities in San Francisco and found the San Francisco Education Fund. They had several programs, but I was drawn to the mentoring initiative with San Francisco Unified School District. It sounded like exactly what I was looking for.

Can you describe what mentoring looks like for you?

I just finished my second year with the program, and this year I mentored three students, grades seven through nine, at three different schools. I meet with each of them once a week for about 45 minutes to an hour. Sometimes we just talk about what’s on their minds, and sometimes we work on creative projects.

I discovered early on that art is the best way for me to connect with them. When we’re sitting side by side cutting and pasting magazine images or folding origami, they start to relax. The conversation flows more naturally, and it doesn’t feel like an interrogation. Art gives them a safe outlet and builds their personal confidence.

What kind of art projects do you do together?

Collage-making is our favorite. It’s simple—just magazine images, scissors, and glue—but it’s powerful. Students can choose images that speak to them on a subconscious level. When a student makes a collage about their dream home or picks pictures of nature, it often opens the door to conversations about their hopes, struggles, or family life.

We’ve also done origami and small paper banners. But collages are especially impactful because they give students a sense of accomplishment, even if they’ve never considered themselves “artistic.”

What challenges do your mentees face?

All of my mentees come from immigrant families and attend Title I schools. Many struggle with attendance. They often act as translators for their parents during medical appointments or with community paperwork, which is a big responsibility for a teenager. They also feel the tension of wanting independence while still needing to support their families.

Middle school is already a confusing time. Layer in those extra burdens, and you can see why having a consistent adult mentor outside of their family can make such a difference. My role is to be honest, to listen without judgment, and to show up every week. That presence alone can build trust and stability.

You’ve continued mentoring some students even after they moved schools. Why was that important to you?

Normally, the program ends at the close of the school year, and mentors are assigned to new students. But I couldn’t just walk away. I had a mentee who graduated from middle school to high school, and I arranged to keep mentoring her to make sure her transition went smoothly. Now, I’ve done the same with another student.

I know it’s unusual, but I’m fortunate to be retired and have the time. I’ve become extremely attached to the students I’m mentoring, and I am now good friends with them on some level. So that’s why I’ve made these special arrangements.

What changes have you seen in your mentees?

Progress isn’t always linear—it’s two steps forward, one step back—but over time I’ve seen real growth. One of my mentees was very shy about speaking English. We made a pact to always speak in English during our sessions, and she practiced with me each week. By the end of the year, she not only improved her conversational skills but also delivered a graduation speech—in English—at her junior high ceremony. Sitting in the audience and watching her on stage was one of the proudest moments of my life.

In general, I see them opening up more, talking more freely, and setting personal goals. Even small changes like improved attendance or sharing a little more of what they’re feeling are signs of progress.

What do you personally gain from volunteering?

It feeds my soul. Honestly, that’s the best way I can put it. Connecting with students through creativity taps into my strengths as an artist, and it reminds me why human connection matters so much.

It’s also an extension of my activism. I’ve always been involved in community protests and advocacy, and mentoring feels like another way of fighting for a better future—by supporting the next generation who will carry that forward.

Why do you think volunteering is important for the community?

I think we live in a time where politics and technology often isolate us from each other. Volunteering brings us back to face-to-face connection.
Community depends on people showing up for each other. Volunteer work really is the backbone of what holds a community together. And it doesn’t have to be something huge. You can start small.

What advice do you have for people who want to volunteer?

Start with something you’re passionate about. Passion will keep you motivated. If mentoring feels intimidating, there are many other ways to support schools and young people, whether that’s helping with a field trip, cleaning up a classroom, or even doing a one-time event.

I was hesitant myself, worried about taking on too much responsibility. But I took the leap, and it has changed my life. My advice is to try something small and see how it feels. You may be surprised by how rewarding it is.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Connie? Find local volunteer opportunities.