<div>I’ve taken on the role of mentoring a young man named Isaiah, a 16-year-old from a rural agricultural community here in Colorado. Work and opportunity are scarce in his area, and like many kids growing up in tough environments, Isaiah has faced setbacks and even some trouble in the past. But he’s shown me that he wants to do better and move his life forward. When I asked him what he wanted most out of this mentorship, he told me: “I want to show everybody at Hanover High School that I can succeed.”

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<div>The way this began is a story in itself. One day, Isaiah and another young man came up to my gate on an ATV. They said, “Hey mister, your sheep got into the park and we’re trying to get them back onto your property.” We went together to move the sheep back where they belonged, and once it was through, they called out from the ATV to my truck: “Do you have work? Do you hire people for work?” I agreed to bring them both on, but while one of the boys only comes one day a week (seems like a really good kid and in a much better position than Isaiah), Isaiah will be spending at least five days a week with me a few hours a day<span style="color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:1rem;"> — working the ranch, doing agricultural chores, walking the land, and training with me.</span>

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<div>To succeed in this, Isaiah needs the right gear: work boots, gloves, tools, durable work clothes, and also clothes and shoes he can exercise in. He’ll also receive a weekly allowance, in line with Colorado law, so that he learns the value of consistent work and financial responsibility. But more than tools or money, this is about showing him that people care — that even strangers believe he can succeed.

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<div>For those of you who know me personally, you know my life story, or at least some of it. You understand how meaningful this is for me — to invest in young men who are trying to find their way and give them the kind of support I wish I’d had.

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<div>Isaiah is capable, articulate, and intelligent. He struggles with confidence, and sometimes exaggerates to cover insecurity, but with encouragement, discipline, and positive affirmations, I believe he can grow into the kind of man who leads instead of follows. By supporting this effort, you’re not just helping him get boots and tools — you’re giving him the chance to build a new foundation, to gain dignity through work, and to prove to himself, his peers, and his community that he can succeed.

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<div>Every contribution, no matter the size, is an investment in Isaiah’s future and shows him how much people care, the only way to truly influence and reach anyone is to show them that you care. For those of you who find yourself with abundance this is a rare chance to bless a young man who is ready to change his life, and to show him that he isn’t walking this road alone.

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Marilyn Guthrie

Jonathan Charlton

Giving Isaiah the Tools to Build His Future

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