Two years ago, Kelly and Chad Collins were fairly typical twenty-something newlyweds. The two shared a Brockport apartment while Kelly worked on her psychology degree at SUNY Brockport and Chad maintained a full-time spot on the college campus grounds crew. Any spare time after work or classes was spent watching television or taking in an occasional movie.

"We were basically couch potatoes," recalled Kelly. "At the time, we thought our lives were pretty full and complete. We didn't have any idea what more we could be doing … the impact we could be making."

That all changed one night at the movies when Kelly noticed a screen-saver ad for St. Joseph's Villa volunteer mentors. Mentors play an essential role by sharing free time on a consistent basis with Villa youth out in the community. They are both friends and role models to young people who lack positive adult relationships.

"At first, my motives for becoming a mentor were kind of selfish and short-sighted," admitted Kelly. "I thought it would be a good way for me to prepare for a career as a guidance counselor."

After a screening and orientation, Kelly began volunteering for the Villa in October 1998. She was first matched with a teenage girl in a Villa Group Home who later left the agency. When another opening arose with a 13-year-old boy named John, Kelly asked Chad if he'd consider volunteering with her.

"I was nervous that I wouldn't have enough in common with a boy, and that Chad might bond better with him," she said. "Chad and I also thought it might be good for us to do something together since we were spending a lot of time apart with work and school."

They agreed to volunteer as a team, but still had some insecurities.

"I was worried John wouldn't want to spend time with two old married people," said Kelly. "Like, 'what happens if we bore him?' I really thought he would think we were dull and out of touch with his life and all of its challenges. How would we ever relate to each other?"

But they soon discovered their interests and talents were a perfect match. Kelly and John were fans of author Dean Koontz. Chad and John shared a love of video games, football and basketball. At least once a week, they took trips to the circus, Darien Lake, parks, restaurants, the movies, seeing everything new through John's eyes.

"Immediately when we met John, we knew we were doing the right thing," said Kelly. "All of our worries were gone. He was so unassuming and thankful. Even the simplest things like hanging out and watching TV, having dinner, or tossing a football meant so much. It made us realize the things we take for granted … and how the best gifts you can give somebody are time and friendship."

Over time, John, who was shy and nervous at first -- even dressing up on their first visit -- began to be more a ease. Today they laugh about those first awkward visits because things have changed so much.

"We try to keep a good sense of humor about life and make fun of ourselves," said Kelly. "We spend more time laughing than anything else."

But there were serious moments too. Like when John would talk about the challenges of his past and the uncertainty of his future without a family to care for him.

"Sometimes he would talk about troubles he was having in school and his concerns about life, and we wished we could be more of an influence," said Kelly. "But as volunteers there are limits to what we can do, and we know that. Our role is to help John see what a great person he is, and show him he can have positive relationships with adults with no strings attached. We also give him a bit of an escape from his worries … let him just be a kid."

It was a milestone of sorts when John began turning down visits with friends his own age to spend time with the Collins'. The relationship grew to be so positive that the Villa granted permission for John to spend the Christmas holidays with the Collins' the last two years.

Then, in January 2001 came news that John would be adopted. He recently moved from the Villa's Stoneridge Group Home to a home in Penfield, where he's at a new school and starting a new life. With the support of his new family, and at John's request, the Collins' will continue to visit John to help with the transition.

"Everything is working out for John the way we dreamed it would," said Kelly, who completes her master's degree this spring and plans to begin her career this fall. "We're happy for him and happy we can keep our friendship going. Because I don't think John realizes what he's given us. Our marriage is stronger because of him, our lives have a greater sense of purpose. We were worried about what we'd be able to give John. It turns out, he gave us a greater gift. It's a lifelong connection we've made."