NYS Mentoring Program Wants You!

June 26, 2017

The New York State Mentoring Program, the nation’s first state-wide, school-based one-to-one mentoring program to prevent school dropout, is looking for volunteers for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Why mentor? Because you can help children succeed despite overwhelming personal, economic and social obstacles. Mentoring outcomes include greater participation in school, improved attendance, higher graduation and college admission rates and better overall performance.

Steve Campbell, director of Academic Camps Academy, mentored a fourth grader last school year at Maplewood Middle School in South Huntington, and he plans to do it again this fall.

“Just being there for the kids is so important,” Campbell says. “They have issues, like broken homes and learning disabilities, but mentoring really helps them.”

Sandra Hustedt, a member of the Financial Aid Office and also a volunteer in the South Huntington School District, will also be back to mentor this fall.

“It’s a very rewarding experience. You can make a difference in a child’s life. And I learned a lot from the kids, too.”

To enroll as a mentor, or for more information, call 212-383-4708, email nysmentoringprogram@ny.gov. or visit the program website.