Changing Two Lives with One Mentor

When one person mentors, two lives are changed. Leonardo (Leo) Ribeiro and Bayron Chivalan Lopez can vouch for that.

Leo, a behavior coach with Bradley Hospital, is the mentor in the pair, while Bayron, a student at the Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex in Providence, the mentee. They were matched through the Brown University Health Mentoring program, managed by the Brown University Health Community Health Institute.

The program teams Brown Health staff from across its wide system of hospitals and services with local high school students considering healthcare careers, helping them build academic, career, and life skills. It’s a volunteer role with a commitment to meet with a student at least once a month during their junior and senior years.

A Match Made in Heaven

“It’s a match made in heaven,” says Leo. “He brings me joy.”

The feeling is mutual. Leo is helping Bayron take steps toward his dream of becoming a pediatrician—and offering tips and support for another passion: soccer. That guidance is already paying off. In his first year of the Mentoring program, Bayron was named “Most Improved” on his high school soccer team.

“I enjoy being in the program,” says Bayron. “I like talking with Leo—he’s helping me understand what being a doctor really involves.” One surprise? Just how much math is part of the job—a subject where Bayron already excels.

Leo remembers Bayron at their first meeting—quiet, soft-spoken, and avoiding eye contact. Since then, he’s seen a remarkable transformation. He also sees a lot of himself in Bayron: the shyness, the quiet nature, the experience of growing up in a big family. Now 31, Leo brings a mix of experience, confidence, and insight—both personal and professional—that he shares naturally with Bayron.

“The more we meet, the more comfortable and confident he becomes,” Leo notes. “I’m not there to tell him how or what to do – but to guide him. I prompt him with questions so he can think more about options. It’s his life to live and his choices to make, but I am there to support him. To be a sounding board so he can think it through.”

From Mentorship to Friendship

The two have built a strong bond and keep the conversation going with frequent texts—whether it’s about schoolwork, soccer, or just life stuff. Nothing’s off the table.

The Mentoring program fits well into Leo’s busy schedule. In addition to working full time, he’s a dad with two side gigs after hours. “I realized early on that it’s not just about guiding Bayron toward a career—those goals can change,” Leo says. “It’s about helping him grow into the kind of man he wants to be. That part doesn’t change.”

“Our Mentoring program is a rewarding experience for both parties,” says Ana Almeida-DoRosário, Brown Health community outreach coordinator. “As a resource to young people, our mentors create an experience for their mentees that allow them to feel supported, build their identity and sense of belonging, and get exposed to new ideas and new opportunities.”

Recently, Leo texted Bayron and was surprised—and a little concerned—when he didn’t hear back right away. When the reply finally came, it was actually a sign of growth. “He said, ‘Sorry, I was at work,’” Leo recalls. Bayron had just started his first job at Walgreens, where he’s gaining confidence through daily interactions with customers and coworkers. “It made me laugh,” Leo says. “Now he doesn’t have time for me—he’s a working man.”

They still have a year to go in the Mentoring program, but the foundation is set. These two are building a bond beyond schedules, soccer seasons, and careers.

Learn more about the mentoring program and other youth programs