The Splash Brothers Who Say Yes to New Experiences
Mentoring is, at its heart, about opening yourself up to experiences you might never have imagined and doing it together with someone who makes you feel brave enough to try and relaxed enough to laugh along the way. For Tyler and his mentor, Frank, that spirit has been there from the start.
They first met when Tyler was in fourth grade at Dunbar Elementary. Now, four years later and well into middle school, they’re still exploring, learning, and finding new things that make them both light up. Frank describes Tyler with unmistakable affection — bright, fun, curious, and always ready to try something new. Although mentoring only asks for one hour a week, the two often spend more time together simply because it feels easy and natural.
One of the recent activities that captured their interest was a climbing gym outing arranged through the Mentoring Alliance. What began as a single sign-up has turned into a monthly ritual they both look forward to. Frank loves watching Tyler puzzle out the routes on the wall, planning his next move, trying again and again until he gets it right. It’s become a shared space where Tyler challenges himself and Frank gets to witness his determination up close.
Around the Mentoring Alliance, Tyler and Frank are affectionately known as “The Splash Brothers,” a nickname born during a hike at the Bouverie Preserve. While peering into a creek, Tyler slipped and fell in, surfacing with a grin. The next year, Frank was the one who ended up in the water. The year after that, Tyler again. The name stuck, and it fits them perfectly — two people who aren’t afraid of getting a little wet if it means discovering something new.
Some experiences have been less splashy but just as memorable. After Tyler finished fifth grade, Frank surprised him with summer adventure certificates, including a trip to San Francisco. The ferry ride, the museum, even navigating the city for the first time — seeing it all through Tyler’s eyes reminded Frank of the joy in everyday “firsts.” It opened up new conversations and gave Tyler a chance to look at the world from a wider lens.
Frank says mentoring Tyler has been pure joy. He loves being around young people and appreciates the chance to support Tyler in ways that help him grow more confident and more curious. Over the years, Tyler has learned he can talk to Frank about anything without fear of judgment. They work through challenges, share laughs, and sometimes simply enjoy being in each other’s company.
Frank joined the Mentoring Alliance after years of helping care for his grandchildren and wanting to continue having that kind of one-on-one connection. He found the perfect match in Tyler, and the rest has unfolded naturally.
Their story is a reminder of what mentoring really looks like. It looks like climbing walls and creek water, exploring new places, laughing when plans go sideways, and finding joy in the unexpected. Mostly, it looks like two people showing up for each other, week after week, discovering the world together in ways they never expected.
And that is the heart of mentoring.