Nina’s Story

Finding Community: a Journey from BYEP Participant to Mentor

February 2024

Nina remembers sitting in her 7th grade counselor’s office when she first heard of Big Sky Youth Empowerment (BYEP). She had never heard of the program before and, at the time, did not care to know. 

All she knew was that she did not want to join. She was feeling depressed and suicidal, and had a hard time finding the motivation to do anything — nothing seemed to matter. At that time, Nina thought she would not make it past the age of 16. It felt impossible to wake up everyday. 

After some encouragement from her counselor and family, Nina decided to apply to BYEP. When she first joined, she had a hard time opening up and connecting with her group, but with the help of her Program Managers and mentors, it did not take long for that to change. 

She soon found the community she had been desperate to find. She speaks of the moment she knew BYEP was the community for her. She was on a walk with her mentors when they stopped at a pond, sat on a log, and her mentors said “Nina, we are always going to be there for you, nothing is going to push us away.” It was at that moment that Nina knew BYEP was full of people she could trust. 

While at first she joined the program with hesitation, it turned out to be one of the best things in her life. “I’m really grateful that I was able to be in BYEP from 7th to 12th grade, because I honestly don’t think I would be here without it,” Nina shared with us recently. 

After graduating from BYEP in 2019, Nina decided to return as a volunteer mentor in 2023. “I have a reason to live now,” Nina shares, and she is committed to sharing that growth with the next generation. 

Nina still keeps in contact and has close relationships with the mentors that supported her. Now, she looks to build those same relationships with participants in her role as a mentor. She experienced the impact her mentors made on her and wants to do the same for kids in the program today. 

Looking back, Nina credits the support of BYEP for much of the success she has found in her life. Aside from learning life skills, she was able to find herself. She now advocates for herself, has not been suicidal in years, and no longer self harms. With the help of BYEP, she now sees herself in a positive light. 

Nina believes her story can inspire others to commit to growth and find acceptance for themselves, whatever they may be going through. Nina shares that “I don’t think there is any other program like this. It’s willing to go the extra mile for kids, it’s a safe and accepting place.”