Our Mission:
Mentor.
We give New York City youth the opportunity for meaningful mentoring relationships with professionals from the fields of finance, media, law, government, the arts, and other organizations.
Our Mission
The New York City Mentoring Program (NYCMP) works with businesses, organizations, associations, and government agencies to develop successful mentoring partnerships with public high schools throughout New York City.
Coordinated by the Department of Education's Office of Safety and Prevention Partnerships, the NYCMP’s framework for mentoring relationships is designed to broaden the horizons of high school students and to help them navigate diverse educational, social, and professional situations.
Our mentors are caring and concerned adults from a variety of backgrounds and professions who meet the Department of Education's application, training, and screening requirements. They commit to mentoring for at least one school year, meeting with their mentees for a minimum of four hours per month.
Our Impact
Connections. Commitment. Community.
Since 1983, the New York City Mentoring Program has connected tens of thousands of high school students with volunteer mentors from local businesses, organizations, and associations.
We believe access to professional adult role models from local organizations can make an indelible impact on the personal and professional development of high school students. Ultimately, these inspiring mentors will help students realize their potential in school, at work, and in life.
“The mentoring program has helped me tremendously, it has helped me shape my future and my decision on going to college. I appreciate the program and all of the mentors.”
Mentors serve as role models and friends that students can look to for guidance. They offer career exploration, facilitate conversations about goal-setting, provide advice on school work and the college admissions process, and lead activities that tap into the city’s vast cultural resources.
Our mentors are caring and concerned adults from a variety of backgrounds and professions who meet the Department of Education's application, training, and screening requirements.
20,000+
student participants since 1983
Students have consistently provided positive feedback on their experiences with their mentors.
25+
high school partnerships per year
NYCMP reaches across all five boroughs to match professional mentors with students from all neighborhoods.
98%
of student participants graduated from high school
Our rate is consistently higher than the city average, demonstrating the success of our program.
Our Program
The NYCMP model is a structured, school-initiated approach to the traditional mentoring relationship between adults and young people. High school students are matched with adult mentor volunteers from their school's partnering organization. Mentors provide one-on-one after-school mentoring to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
for ORGANIZATONS
Institutions must recruit 15-20 employees to serve as mentors and designate an in-house liaison to work with the mentors, the school, and the NYCMP. Your institution is also required to make a donation to The Fund for Public Schools to enable us to support each school’s mentoring program, including stipends for our dedicated school coordinators.
for schools
Schools can contact us to inquire about available mentoring partners. Mentoring partners are limited, however, and it is suggested that schools work to encourage new partner organizations interested in providing support to join the New York City Mentoring Program.
for mentors
The New York City Mentoring Program is a partnership program that matches groups of volunteers from an organization or company with a specific high school. Only groups of at least 15-20 volunteers, all from the same organization, are accepted into the program. Mentors receive training, administrative support, mentoring resources, and guidance throughout the year.
for students
Contact us to inquire if your public high school is on our partnership list. You may be eligible to join if you are currently in 10th or 11th grade. If your school is not on our partnership list, contact your school guidance counselor for other opportunities.
“I am very happy to be a part of the mentoring program, and I am extremely happy to know my mentee, an absolutely wonderful young woman who is intelligent, curious about the world, and full of kindness.”
Get Involved
Our partners and volunteers provide New York City's public high school students with meaningful relationships and out-of-the-classroom learning experiences.
become a partner
We connect businesses, organizations, and professional networks with a public high school to find a successful match for all mentors and students. Our partners are diverse, spanning the fields of finance, media, law, government, and the arts.
become a mentor
Mentors are more than just role models. They provide professional insight, academic advice, and personal support as students journey into adulthood. We are seeking groups of kind and caring adults from organizations, associations, and businesses interested in serving New York City’s youth.
Make a Donation
Whether you are a partner organization or someone interested in supporting New York City youth, please consider making a donation.