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College student Brianna Lopez knows what it’s like to suddenly be forced to put one’s dreams on hold. Earlier this year, she was accepted to attend the University of California,… Continue Reading
(Editor’s note: KidWorks’ mentoring opportunity is one of our most impactful programs for incoming 11th and 12th graders, providing lifelong positive experiences for both adult mentors and student mentees. Here, we invite you to learn about mentors Mike and Valerie Torrey and Mike’s mentee, Jared Pacheco. Please see the link below to find out more about our mentor program and ways you can become involved.)
Last April, college student and KidWorks’ alum Jared Pacheco experienced the passing of a close friend. The loss hit him hard.
Yet, he knew who to turn to for compassion and understanding: Mike Torrey, his KidWorks’ mentor.
“Mike was able to help me grieve and he shared words of encouragement,” Jared says. “He was there for me when it mattered most.”
Mike, a professional architectural photographer, became Jared’s mentor in December 2024 and this mentorship commitment continues through August 2026 with once-a-month meetings at KidWorks (although he and Jared are encouraged to remain in touch as long as they’d like after the official mentorship concludes).
Mike’s engagement with KidWorks is a true family affair. His wife, Valerie, a recently retired education leader, began as a mentor for longtime KidWorks student, Ashley Torres, who begins attending Concordia University in Irvine this fall.
The Torrey family have been dedicated KidWorks’ partners, supporting our fundraising events, providing Thanksgiving care packages for the families we support and serving on key committees.
Jared is an incoming freshman at Santa Ana College. He was also our April 2022 Volunteer of the Month: https://kidworksoc.org/volunteer-of-the-month-jared-pacheco/
“Mike is easy going and very uplifting,” Jared says. “We talk easily about a lot of topics and he’s always there for me. Mike is very encouraging and his words have great meaning to me. It’s nice to have someone like him in my life to provide wisdom and advice.”
Jared adds, “Mike has helped me by always being at every mentor meeting and fully showing up for me. He cares about me as a person and guides me when I’m making decisions. It’s great to know I always have someone like him to rely on.”
For his part, Mike is no stranger to being a positive youth role model, having previously volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
“Jared has a wonderful spirit about him and we’re just getting to know each other better,” Mike says. “He’s pursuing more clarity about his education and life goals, yet there is something remarkable in him that will emerge over time. I’m here to help in any way I can to facilitate and encourage him to discover his talents and purpose.”
Jared is already hard at work getting himself set for a meaningful and productive life and career.
“I have my sights set on a career in criminal justice, possibly as a probation officer or probation social worker,” he says.
We are so grateful to Mike, Valerie and all of our KidWorks mentors,” says Clarisa Vargas, our College & Career Director. “The life experiences and wisdom that adults bring to our youth are such a strong and foundational building block at KidWorks.”
“There are so many rewards that come from being a mentor,” says Leslie Martinez, our College & Career Coordinator. “These include being in a youth’s corner like someone was once for you. Mentoring is really about being another positive and influential person in these youths’ lives as they get ready to encounter life after high school.”
Mike says the mentor program paves the way for a great experience for mentor and mentee:
“It’s really well organized and each mentor’s responsibilities are clearly defined,” Mike says. “I’m impressed with the content and the great staff, plus how other mentors and mentees share their experiences.”
Thank you, Mike and Valerie, for walking alongside our students in ways that will stay with them for their lifetimes. Jared, we are so proud of the inspiration you are to children and youth who can model the character you so consistently demonstrate.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
The next KidWorks mentor session launches in October. Learn more, including about how to become involved at: https://kidworksoc.org/volunteer/mentors/