User:IMentor
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[edit] iMentor
Mission
iMentor's mission is to improve the lives of young people from underserved communities in New York City through innovative, technology-based approaches to youth mentoring and education. iMentor uses mentoring to bridge the divide between New York City’s diverse communities so that mentees are equipped with the skills and resources critical for (1) personal, (2) academic, and (3) career success.
iMentor proves that (1) even the busiest, most successful New Yorkers have time to be quality mentors and that (2) formal mentoring programs can flourish in NYC's most isolated, low-income, and underserved communities. iMentor uses mentoring to bridge the divide between New York City's eclectic communities, creating unique and dynamic relationships that would not have been possible without the program. By exposing both mentors and mentees to new facets of their shared city, iMentor makes and facilitates meaningful connections, empowering youth with the skills and resources critical for personal, academic and career success.
Origins - History
iMentor was founded in 1999 by hedge-fund manager John Griffin (Blue Ridge Capital), and two civil rights attorneys, Rich Buery and Matt Klein. The program began with 49 students in one school in the South Bronx. In just over seven years of operation, iMentor has provided mentors to more than 2,000 young people from over 30 NYC schools and after school programs.
This year, iMentor will connect at least 700 high school-aged youth (mentees) one-to-one with volunteer adult mentors. Every mentor-mentee pair cultivates their relationship using iMentor's combination of weekly email correspondence and regular in-person meetings.
iMentor was created to solve two major problems faced by young people in under-served communities:
• Lack of mentors
• Lack of technology literacy
Millions of youth nationwide are in need of mentors and do not have them. In addition, schools and after school programs serving under-resourced communities struggle to develop strategies for using computers and the Internet as effective educational tools. Educators need training and support in using technology to improve the lives of their students. iMentor’s strategies address both problems.
Our Impact
96% of mentees feel that their mentor is someone they can trust and depend on.
88% of mentees felt that being involved with iMentor made them more confident interacting with adults, meeting new people and interacting in new environments.
88% of mentees said that iMentor introduced them to opportunities and experiences that they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.
85% of mentees felt that being involved with iMentor has made them a better student.
Getting Involved
