As part of the initial training for the Melrose CARES Community Mentoring Program, volunteers are asked to reflect on someone in their lives (besides a parent) who made a significant positive impact when they were growing up. Participants are then asked to describe the qualities of that relationship. Responses often include words like "unconditional support," "guidance," "made me feel special" or "saw something in me I didn’t see in myself." Some of these relationships were life-changing, or even life-saving.