GREEN BAY, Wis. (NBC 26) -- An area non-profit organization works with middle and high school students to navigate the challenges of being a teenager.
They put on a unique annual event to help support their cause.
Young Life meets with about 90 kids every week during clubs at Green Bay area schools.
They also pair up positive caring adults with teens who have risk factors or special needs.
The success of their mentoring program is demonstrated beautifully by a pair who has created so much more than just a friendship.
Chad and Zack have been a pair since Zack was 16 years old.
Zack came to Young Life Green Bay with a friend looking for guidance in his life.
"School wasn't really a good place to go," said Zack Anderson, a mentee at Young Life.
Zach says his childhood wasn't easy, his dad was sick and school was hard.
Chad came along at the perfect time.
"To know that people are on his side and rooting for him," said Chad Gouin, a mentor with Young Life. "Helping him with day to day stuff, whether it's running errands, or talking through situations. In those areas it has been beneficial."
Leaders with Young Life say their mentoring program started 5 years ago and they've seen kids really thrive with the one-on-one attention.
"Through mentoring we've seen kids grow exponentially compared to being in a group setting," said Heather Faulkner, the area director for Young Life Green Bay. "They're a little more comfortable talking about the hard stuff that's going on in life or asking those hard questions. It's also just having one adult care about you every week that is really impactful."
The relationship has given Zack so much joy and a family.
"It's more than that," said Anderson. "I see it more as an opportunity to have an older brother or another family member that I never had."
"That's one of the areas I've really seen him grow over the past couple of years," said Gouin. "He's opening up into who he is and flourishing."
Zack spends time with Chad's children doing family activities together and even learning to drive.
"It's a joy for someone to allow me to drive their car," said Anderson.
They've also been preparing for the 3rd annual Young Life Fashion Show where Zack will model a suit down the runway.
"Our kids get to get all dolled up and be the stars of the show and feel special like they should every day," said Faulkner.
The teens participating this year will model clothing from local boutiques alongside their adult mentors.
An area salon will do their hair and makeup.
This quality time spent together helps teens like Zack make goals and work towards achieving them.
"Over the last couple of years I've really seen him grow into a man who wants to do well in the community," said Gouin.
After two years of spending time with Chad, Zack smiles more, laughs more and has a very positive outlook on life and his future.
"It gave me love," said Anderson. "It gave me a lot of love and hope."
Zack recently graduated from high school. He hopes to go to college to be a graphic artist or fashion designer.
If you would like to be a volunteer for Young Life Green Bay, click here for more information.
The Young Life Green Bay Fashion Show raises money for their cause.
It takes place Thursday, March 5th at 6 p.m. at Ledgecrest Reserve in De Pere.
There will be a photo booth, swag bags, cash bar and of course the runway show.
For more information click here.
