This year, Seedling joyfully hosted and celebrated the 21st Mentor Appreciation Luncheon on May 1st at the Renaissance Hotel, Austin.  Mentors, school partners and community supporters braved the chilly rain storm and gathered once more as Master of Ceremony, Rob Faubion, highlighted the best of Seedling this year.  

“It is through this collective dedication to our mission that we are able to positively impact so many young people experiencing the absence of a parent or parent figure in their lives. One mentee recently said, ‘When I have something going on, my mentor listens to my problems.’ Today we celebrate the magic that can blossom from something as simple as that.”

A lovely example of that Seedling magic, Jenee, a high school senior, took the stage and shared her mentoring story.  Jenee has been matched with Linda Rodriguez in the Seedling program for 10 years. 

Dan Leal, Seedling’s Chief Executive Officer, proudly presented a special award which is given to an individual, business or organization that has exhibited outstanding contributions to children impacted by parental incarceration. The 2026 recipient of the Angels and Advocates Award is Jessie Metcalf,   celebrated for exhibiting the definition of mentor in every way.  She is patient, kind, nonjudgmental and caring. Not only is Jessie a wonderful mentor, she was also a remarkable board member and board president.  Jessie is a mentor in heart and in action!

In the 25/26 school year, Seedling nurtured 206 new matches and served 497 students in over 120 schools. Our mentors, community, and partners helped us unlock countless possibilities for the over 3,000  youth we’ve served over the past 21 years.  

Special thanks to ABC Bank for sponsoring this event for the past three years,  Seedling Board President Michael Dominguez, founding Board President Kalí Rourke,  founding Austin ISD Champion Dr. Gloria Williams, and the Seedling Board of Directors and  Advisory Council.  

Finally, as always, we are forever grateful to our founder, John Blazier, for his vision to serve this hidden population of children.