About Mentoring
Find out how to Become a Mentor
While every person young or old can benefit from the help of a mentor many of our city's youth find themselves in situations where the immediate assistance of a wise and trusted guide is crucial.
Education Statistics:
- Only 48.4% of the New York City public school students graduate in four years. (New York City Board of Education, 1997)
Over 50% of New York City's third through eighth graders are reading below grade level. (New York City Board of Education, Spring 1998)
Social Indicators
- At least 53% of New York City's children under age 18 live with families headed by a recent immigrant. (Current Population Survey, Urban Institute Tabulations for March 1997, 1998, 1999, Census Bureau)
53.51% of public school students receive free or reduced lunch. In other words, 53.51% of public school students are below the poverty line, which is $13,000 for a family of 4. (New York City Board of Education, 1997-1998 Average)
In Fiscal Year 2000, the Department of Juvenile Justice had 5,361 admission to detentions of youth between the ages of 7 and 15. (www.NYC.gov)
9.8% of total births in New York City were to teens. (The Annie E Casey Foundation, 1998)
The statistics are clear. New York City youth are struggling with many challenges and difficult choices. New York City youth are in desperate need of committed adults who are willing to stand by, support and guide them through the turbulent choices of adolescence. Adults can provide new perspectives to the youth about various options, achieving goals, and making moral and ethical decisions. Adults can also serve as a safe person to discuss concerns that the youth may have and a model of one who practices his/her faith in a secular world. These adults are mentors. For further information regarding how to locate a mentor for your child or student, please call 212.953.0945 or e-mail us.