The Impulsa Foundation has intensified in recent weeks the recruitment of volunteer mentors to support young people in vulnerable situations during their Vocational Training studies. The entity asks for people over 30 years old with empathy and social sensitivity to join a program that combines individual follow-up, training, and continuous support.
The campaign comes as students like Erick Buil, a 17-year-old student from Terrassa, describe mentoring as support that goes beyond financial aid. The young man summarizes this difference in a concrete idea: he not only receives a scholarship, but also maintains a stable relationship with an adult who accompanies him on his academic and personal journey.
Erick Buil studies electromechanics and found support beyond the scholarship
Erick Buil's relationship with the foundation began in the fourth year of ESO, when he received information at his institute about scholarships to study a medium-level degree. He is now studying automotive electromechanics and plans to continue with a higher-level degree when he finishes his current training.
"It's not just a scholarship. You feel like someone is following you and you feel more welcomed" - Erick Buil, 17-year-old student from Terrassa
In his case, the accompaniment has also opened up a space of trust that he does not easily find among his closest circle. The student explains that he talks little with his friends about how his studies are going, but he does talk to his mentor because he expects a useful perspective from him on what is happening to him.
"I don't explain much to my friends about how my studies are going, but with Pepe I open up more because I know he will give me his point of view" - Erick Buil, 17-year-old student from Terrassa
Jose Segovia dedicates five hours a month and has been a mentor for almost four years
Jose Segovia, who retired early from the telecommunications sector after 35 years of experience, has been a volunteer mentor for almost four years. The foundation sets a commitment of five hours per month for this role and complements this work with follow-up and continuous training.
"They have it very well set up. You have a reference technician, training, materials to prepare meetings, and constant support" - Jose Segovia, volunteer mentor
Segovia frames his work as sustained accompaniment, not a one-off intervention. The foundation reinforces this scheme with resources to prepare meetings and with a reference person who guides each mentor throughout the process.
In addition to available time, the entity prioritizes profiles with listening skills and social sensitivity. Along these lines, Segovia summarizes the program's main requirement with a simple idea.
"You just need to know how to listen. It is very enriching for both parties" - Jose Segovia, volunteer mentor
Erick Buil plans to pursue a higher degree when he finishes his studies in automotive electromechanics and maintain his connection with the Fundació Impulsa.