When we were busy at the Clubhouse ramping up for our Spring 2025 cohort recently, we heard from Muntadher Al-Musawi, a data scientist interested in mentoring with C4K. His motivation? A desire to give back to his new community in Charlottesville—particularly by supporting young people who, like him, may not have had a mentor growing up.
Giving back can take many forms, but one of the most powerful ways to make an impact is by providing the kind of guidance and encouragement you wish you had as a young person. Muntadher’s story, intertwined with that of his wife Joumana—a former C4K youth member—beautifully illustrates how mentorship can come full circle, inspiring the next generation of creators, innovators, and community leaders.
Here’s a bit of our recent conversation with them:
C4K: How did you become interested in STEAM mentoring?
Muntadher: A few years ago, I found my way to the world of data science and data analysis and it changed my life. I learned that I love working in tech and using my skillset to understand the world around me. I grew up in Iraq and did not have a mentor when I was young. I know the feeling of spending years trying to figure out what you want to do, and how much easier life would have been if I had someone I could explore with and get a better view of the opportunities in front of me.
Also, my wife Joumana was a youth member at C4K many years ago and still speaks about her time with her mentor fondly.
C4K: What a wonderful connection! Can we bring her into this conversation?
Muntadher: She’d be delighted!
C4K: Hi Joumana – thanks for being a catalyst for Muntadher becoming a mentor at C4K! What do you recall about your experience being a student at C4K?
Joumana: My family and I came as refugees to Charlottesville in 2003, and C4K was one of the first spaces my brother and I enjoyed being in. Before C4K, we spent a lot of time in the computer room at the public library playing games, making and printing cards, and typing. So when we started going to C4K, it felt like we suddenly had access to even more tools to play around with and discover! I remember working with my mentor to learn how to make a website and edit photos. I always felt comfortable and supported, not only around other students but by the C4K staff themselves, some of whom I’m still in touch with years later!
C4K: Did your time being mentored here influence your future in any way?
Joumana: Although I don’t work in a STEAM or tech-related field now, I think my time at C4K gave me the confidence to try new things without feeling intimidated or expecting perfection. Having a space where exploration and learning were most important gave me a push to continue pursuing my own creative path, which has led me to be a writer, artist, and organizer in the community.
C4K: Is there any advice you’d give to a young person who may be hesitant to participate in C4K programs? Sometimes youth who don’t see themselves as “techies” worry that they won’t enjoy the experience.
Joumana: Don’t be afraid to try new things even if you’re not sure if you’ll enjoy them! Some of my favorite discoveries about myself have come from being surprised by an experience I didn’t expect to enjoy. I wasn’t a tech person when I joined, and I probably never will be, but the spirit of play and exploration have stuck with me since!
Muntadher: Let curiosity drive you to discover new things! Just because we do something doesn’t mean we have to stick with it forever. Try things out, and if you have an opportunity to learn something new, take it!
C4K: Muntadher, I know it’s early in the spring cohort, but how’s it going so far with the youth you’ve been matched with?
Muntadher: I really enjoy being at C4K with CJ and getting to learn more about him and his time here. We spend a lot of time learning about all the tools at C4K together, debating whether CJ wants to make a video game, a robot, or something else, and getting to know other youth members. It has also been very special to get to speak in Arabic with other youth members and make sure they feel fully heard and understood.
Muntadher and Joumana’s journey shows how mentorship is more than just skill-building—it’s about creating a supportive space where young people can explore their interests, gain confidence, and see new possibilities for their future. Whether you’re a data scientist, an artist, or someone simply looking to pay forward some kindness, mentoring at C4K is a way to make a real difference.