September 04, 2025
From Guidance to Growth
River’s Mindset
River L. Anderson, a Friends of the Children - Portland youth and recent high school graduate, has wisdom beyond their years and sage advice for newly enrolled FriendsPDX youth this fall that really applies to anyone:
River
“if you don’t know if you want to do something because you’re scared think about it for a while, and if you still don’t know then just do it because what’s the worst that will happen?
When River’s mentor moved to another state two years before their high school graduation, Tekiah Elzey was already a mentor to one of River’s best friends and happy to step in. River has stayed in touch with her previous mentor, and both mentors attended River’s graduation to see her cross the stage.
River is a welder with aspirations for a career in the field, hoping to find a part-time job and enter the workforce. According to Tekiah, when River has a passion for something, they won’t take no for an answer. By example, welding class opportunities that don’t require prerequisites are rare in the Portland Metro area, and when River was introduced to welders from Mount Hood Community College through their school, Fir Ridge, they became undeterred in a mission to take a class at MHCC. With help from FriendsPDX to get the class paid for, some free welding gear found online, and education funds Mary Atyemizian, donor officer with Friends of the Children – Portland, was able to secure to get a few more supplies, River was off and running.
River’s passion for welding was cemented, and after a first few sessions, the instructor told River they have natural ability. River sees themselves “owning a car shop and teaching younger people how to weld” in the next five years. River's mom Dottie has been a fierce advocate, making sure they get everything they need to succeed in the world.
Of River’s many admirable traits, Tekiah points to their resourcefulness as one of the most admirable, saying,
Tekiah
“River is very resourceful and will ask several people for advice when they run into an obstacle. River overcomes obstacles with practice. Getting to try something out with support will lead to them doing it on their own.”
Said River, “my three biggest strengths would be my growth mindset skills, my confidence and my ability to de-escalate conflict situations.”
River loves to fish, and Tekiah’s favorite memory with River is a fishing trip taken last summer to Salish Ponds. Tekiah was nervous, having not been fishing since childhood. Said Tekiah, “River was immediately doing everything themselves, showing me how to put bait on the hooks. They caught several fish that day! Every fish they caught they would show me, say thank you to the fish, and throw it back in the water. I couldn't believe how many fish they caught. I knew they loved fishing before this but seeing it in action was special.”
River has many other endearing memories of her time with Friends of the Children – Portland.
“I want to say Friends of the Children has changed me for the better in every single way possible, and I'm so thankful for each mentor I've met through the years. Each and every one of them have helped me become the person I am today.”