Charlie Garrison has been a loyal mentor with Talbot Mentors for more than 12 years. He was a lawyer/businessman in Washington, D.C, who sold his business, retired and moved to Easton in 2011. He and his wife raised two sons, and Charlie loved coaching them in baseball and basketball and spending time outdoors with them. While in D.C., Charlie helped organize the Family Support Center in Bethesda, which is still in operation. He also participated in forming the BCC Baseball League in 1993.

Once he moved to the Eastern Shore, Charlie began looking for ways to contribute in the Easton Community. A friend, Bill Brashares, who was active in Talbot Mentors, suggested he look into becoming a mentor. After applying and being approved as a new mentor, Charlie was matched with eight-year-old Alijah Perry. That early friendship, which began 12 years ago, has turned into a life-changing experience for them both and it still continues today.

Alijah was raised by his mother in the Easton area and his father in D.C. Alijah’s mother suggested the possibility of getting a mentor for him, and Alijah said he hoped he could get a new adult friend who shared the same interests of hunting, fishing, sports and being outside. Since his parents were separated, Alijah’s mother wanted an adult male to offer a different perspective and possible path in life. Mr. Charlie turned out to be that person.

They enjoyed many fun activities on the Eastern Shore and got to know each other as mentor/mentee while Alijah grew to be a teenager. When Charlie invited Alijah for a summer visit with him and his family in Maine, the two shared a memorable conversation over lunch at a fast-food restaurant. Ever observant, Alijah noticed the lack of racial diversity around them — an observation that proved illuminating for Charlie. Part of the magic of their relationship is their ability to see life through each other’s perspectives and learn from those differences. They shared many restaurant meals together, and Charlie always made sure that Alijah figured out the tip. Alijah said that Mr. Charlie helped teach him percentages!

Alijah went through some tough times when he was in seventh and eighth grade. His grandfather’s house in St. Michaels, where Alijah lived, burned to the ground and they lost everything.  Subsequently, he moved to D.C. to live with his dad. When he was about to start ninth grade, his older brother was murdered while stopping a fight outside their neighborhood high school in D.C. His dad felt that something needed to change, and he was adamant that Alijah get a good education.

Through Talbot Mentors, Charlie had become acquainted with Johnny O’Brien, who had a leadership role in the Milton Hershey School (MHS). Johnny thought MHS might be a good option for Alijah and advised him to apply, even though it was just a month before ninth grade was to begin. On short notice, Alijah started ninth grade as a boarding student in October. He said he missed his family but knew he was in the right place and embraced his life there. That was a testament to his caring family and the warm mentorship from Charlie. Alijah said, “Mr. Charlie taught me how to be comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. He taught me to always question things and not to take things at face value.”

The Milton Hershey School paved the way for Alijah to experience high school in a happy and supportive environment. The K-12 boarding school removes barriers to learning by providing all students with medical, dental, psychological, behavioral and social services, as well as clothing and nutritional food at no cost.

After graduating from high school at Milton Hershey School with a 4.0 GPA, Alijah went to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, MD. He recently graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA and a degree in Aviation Management. He had always wanted to pursue a career in aviation and become a pilot, but he was diagnosed with epilepsy in his junior year and learned he would not be able to fly a plane. That did not stop his dream of being involved with aviation. Last summer he received an internship at BWI Airport in the development office, and this summer he was invited back to BWI to work in airport operations. Alijah said Mr. Charlie always taught him to connect with important people and put himself out there.

Along with establishing a future career, Alijah says he wants to branch out and give back. He hopes to help homeless people and volunteer in soup kitchens. The staff at Talbot Mentors hopes he will return to the Eastern Shore and become a fantastic mentor, just like Mr. Charlie. Along with being his supportive long-time mentor, Alijah says he is always proud to introduce Mr. Charlie as his “grandfather”!

For more information about Talbot Mentors, visit info@talbotmentors.org or call 410-770-5999. Consider enriching your life by adding a new friend to your family.

Written by Harriett Downes-Slaughter, a mentor for 9 years.