Sarah comes from a long line of educators, and has had a lifelong passion for learning and service. In high school, she co-founded and led Library for the Homeless, an organization that delivered books to Austin, TX's homeless population. She then attended Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, where she concentrated in Mathematics and Philosophy, with a minor in Formal Logic. After college, she taught mathematics at a Title-One high school with Teach for America.
After coming to Richmond, she and Richard Luck began UnBoundRVA. UnBoundRVA invests in talented individuals from low-income communities, connecting them to the resources, training, and the support needed to become successful entrepreneurs. Sarah focuses on curriculum development, teacher training and identifying talent.
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What
would you say most motivated you to apply to be a big sister in SOHO?I love the idea of changing someone's life trajectory through conversations--especially conversations as such a critical part of someone's life. When you're 12, the smallest choices and changes can have such big impacts on your life in the future, and I loved, and still love, the idea that I could be a small part of that with someone.
What most surprised you about your experience during SOHO?
I think I had forgotten how hard it was to be 12. Trying to empathize with Caliyah and her struggles at school or with friends or whatever often left me dumbfounded. It's crazy thinking about what that feels like for her and what it felt like for me.
Connecting with a little sister happens quickly for some and slowly for others. How did this happen for you and your little sister?
We connected really quickly, because we both have big personalities and love to make new friends. The challenge actually came after the excitement of being with someone new wore off. The real work started about 2 months into the program when we really had to start developing a meaningful relationship.
What was the funniest moment you shared with your little sister?
It's so hard to pick that, because Caliyah and I both laugh all the time. She was always doing something crazy. That was probably one of the best parts for me. She was such a reality check, like, "Sarah, stop taking yourself so seriously."
What was your biggest challenge as a SOHO big sister during the program?
8 months is a long time. I'd say the biggest challenge for me through the program was devoting 12 hours per month for that length of time. I always had a ton of fun once I got there though!
It’s
been about 3 months since the SOHO program has ended, can you talk about your
relationship with your little sister since then?We are planning a trip to UVA, but unfortunately, we haven't been able to get together since the program ended. We're both keeping journals that we will share when we see each other.
Have there been any other mentoring relationships you’ve been a part of since SOHO?
I've kept up with my SOHO mentor pretty regularly, and I will also be a part of Mentor Richmond, but that is me being mentored. To be totally honest, the program helped me see that I need some mentoring before I'm ready to be a mentor again!
If you had to name one thing that you took away from your involvement with SOHO, what would that be?
A serious appreciation for cross-generational relationships. It is so awesome to see life from the eyes of someone who is really similar to you, but just at a different point on the path. I loved that.
Check out Sarah Mullen's inspiring organization Unbound RVA here: http://www.unboundrva.org/
