The Fund for Public Schools: Supporting NYC Public Schools

Mentoring relationships form special bonds for both mentors and mentees. The New York City Mentoring Program (NYCMP) has a long list of success stories: relationships that enrich the lives of both participants, breaking down barriers and opening up doors for New York City public high school students. We like to call these “Notable Pairs.” Read below to learn about some of the great relationships formed through NYCMP. Click here to return to the Mentoring home page.

Arielle and Beth: 2009-10 School Year

Arielle Jennings has been involved with her school’s AIGA NY Mentoring Program for three years. The program was a natural fit as it pairs students from the High School of Art and Design with AIGA NY members – the city’s chapter of the professional association for design. Arielle was partnered with Beth Tondreau, an experienced graphic designer and typographer. As Arielle describes it, the mentoring program helped her mature and build her confidence during high school. Prior to entering the program, Arielle characterized herself as a “shy and quiet person, keeping mostly to myself and not wanting to ask anyone for help,” but found that working with Beth and participating in activities with other mentors and mentees “broke me out of my shell and showed me that it was okay to trust people and depend on them for help in times of struggle.”

Her friendship with Beth also provided Arielle with an invaluable opportunity to practice her artistic skills alongside a talented professional. Beth and Arielle could frequently be found drawing together, reviewing and assembling portfolios, and photographing Arielle’s artwork to submit to colleges. It was Beth’s encouragement throughout the college admissions process that helped inspire Arielle to continue her artistic studies after high school. Arielle recalls that “when I was starting high school I knew I wanted to do art but didn’t know how to get into an arts-specific job. My mentor showed me I could be a successful artist in the field and do what I love.”

Together, she and Beth narrowed a list of 40 potential colleges down to ten, and Beth accompanied her to National Portfolio Day, a nerve-wracking day where students display their work to different design schools. When Arielle found out that she was accepted at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), she said that “Beth was the first person I called…we were both jumping up and down.” She will commence her studies at RISD in the fall and plans to study visual arts – specifically illustration and cartooning. Her sights are already set on earning a Master’s degree, and she hopes to work as an animator or illustrator for a company like Disney or Pixar one day.

Of course it wasn’t all work and no play for this pair – they frequently visited different parts of New York City like Union Square to sketch the various people and sites around them. They also took trips to MoMA and The Metropolitan Museum of Art to view different exhibits and examine artists’ techniques throughout history.

Arielle’s school community has been a significant beneficiary of the confidence that she gained throughout her time in the NYCMP. She was involved in a myriad of high school activities such as the Yearbook Club, Newspaper Club, Prom Committee, and Guardians – a group of students who serve as role models to incoming students and assist with various school events such as freshman orientation and graduation. She was also “President of the Mentees” for the AIGA NY Mentoring Program, helping new mentees transition into working effectively with their mentors.

Looking ahead, Arielle hopes to continue giving back and is interested in leading more organizations in college, with student government and environmental organizations as areas of interest. She is grateful for the academic, artistic, and personal support that she received from her mentor and hopes one day to mentor others: “I have been inspired to become a mentor so that I may help out a young adult who needs guidance and a little push to accomplish what he or she wants in life.”

Jonathan and Rudi-Michael: 2008-09 School Year

Jonathan Taveras, a senior at Harvey Milk High School in Manhattan, and his mentor Rudi-Michael Salamon, an employee of Pfizer, have been paired for the past three years through the New York City Mentoring Program. When they first met, Jonathan was understandably shy and a bit nervous about meeting a stranger in the corporate world – as a bright student he was struggling academically and not reaching his full potential. He remembers how anxious he was when he first met Rudi at school. “When Rudi and I first spoke, it seemed to me that we lived different lives and that we would never relate to one another. We didn’t connect. In this world, people put up walls to protect themselves,” reflects Jonathan. As time went on, those walls started to break down slowly. Rudi remained consistent and Jonathan came to admire Rudi’s patient and reliable personality traits.

Although it took some time and there were many challenges throughout their initial school year together, Rudi finally caught a glimpse of Jonathan’s true potential. Both agree it was at a June mentoring event at Shea Stadium that brought the pair closer together. They spent time opening-up to each other over hotdogs and sodas. “Jonathan was excited for the current school year to end, but was also looking forward to his junior year,” recalls Rudi. “His grades were improving, he was arriving at school on-time, and he was enthusiastic about his future. I knew that I had to continue with him.” Jonathan realized he wanted his relationship with Rudi to continue as well.

After their bonding experience at Shea Stadium, the pair began to meet on a regular basis twice each month, often having sessions that last three to four hours each. Rudi helped Jonathan to start thinking about his future in a serious way. As a high school senior, Jonathan applied for a hospital internship and is applying to a number of colleges with Rudi’s assistance. He is currently maintaining an A average and attending after-school classes at the Museum of Natural History to pursue his interest in science. For Jonathan, the mentoring experience has taught him that there can be positive outcomes if you allow certain relationships to grow. “With Rudi in my life, I learned that I can actually be consistent. Our relationship has shown me the value of sticking with something, the benefits or working on something over time even though there can be a struggle at the beginning.” Rudi, who has been humbled by this mentoring experience, also looks forward to continuing to be a part of Jonathan’s life, to sharing more with him, and learning more from him as well.

On January 29^th, 2009, in honor of National Mentoring Month, the New York City Department of Education announced that Jonathan and Rudi received the New York City Mentoring Program’s 2009 Mentor ~ Mentee of the Year award. Congratulations Jonathan and Rudi!

Michelle Lew and Kathryn Chen: 2006-07 School Year

Michelle Lew, a senior at James Madison High School, and her mentor Kathryn Chen, an officer at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, met almost a year and a half ago. Michelle felt very comfortable with Kathryn from the very first time they met in the bank’s cafeteria. There seemed to be a mutual feeling of trust between the two from the very beginning as they were both hoping to get something positive out of the relationship. This relationship has become even stronger than either Kathryn or Michelle could ever imagine. “Kathryn took me under her wings and opened my eyes and showed me how the world of finance works,” says Michelle. “This motivated me to seek an internship at the Federal Reserve Bank where I learned more and more about the world of finance.”

Michelle found from visiting Kathryn at her job that the atmosphere of work is vastly different from the atmosphere of high school. She observed Kathryn’s interaction with different colleagues, subordinates and superiors. Kathryn introduced Michelle to her supervisor where she got to see what it was like working under a manager. She listened to conference calls and was able to get a glimpse at what it must be like to actually work in the professional world of banking. Michelle states, “I learned that in order to achieve a goal, one must work hard and if one fails, one must work harder to succeed. Kathryn would always give me encouragement to work harder to achieve my goals." Michelle learned to be more assertive through her relationship with Kathryn. Kathryn helped Michelle sharpen her problem-solving skills in order to increase her own sense of independence.

Kathryn found that Michelle is extremely grounded and has a very strong sense of self. “Michelle is not swayed by what others do or say, but remains confident in her views and values, which are strongly rooted in her family." She is so proud of the fact that she became Michelle’s mentor and believes that Michelle feels the same about her. Kathryn feels that Michelle will do very well in whatever she attempts in the near and distant future.

Shante King and Sarah Crabbe: 2006-07 School Year

Shante King is a high school senior from the High School of Economics and Finance who has been fortunate enough to have Sarah Crabbe of the Young Professionals Mentoring Program (YPMP) as a mentor for the past three years. Shante feels that Sarah is one of those people who really cares for others and she values the time she has spent with her mentor.
One of the highlights of this three year mentoring relationship between Shante and Sarah has been their introduction to the ice skating rink. Neither of the two had ever tried to strap on ice skates nor dare attempt to approach the rink until the day the mentoring program had its first ice skating activity. They ventured on to the rink holding hands the entire time with nervous strength. Sarah began to notice that the more they talked and skated, the less nervous they became. While bonding on the ice, Shante talked to Sarah about her school, her family, her friends, boys she likes, places she’s been, places she wants to go, her hopes, her dreams and her desires. They stayed on the ice for most of the outing and started to really get to know each other.

Shante feels she has been very lucky to have been able to experience a relationship with someone older, more experienced and with a different cultural background. “I am truly inspired in my college choices to pursue either Education or Medicine. Sarah has helped me feel extremely positive about giving back,” states Shante. “There is an instant reward when you give back to someone, and it doesn’t cost a penny.” Shante hopes to attend Temple University where she wants to become a pediatrician. Sarah has watched Shante grow into a young woman in three short years and cannot express how proud she is of her. She feels that Shante is respectful, kind, witty and intelligent, and has her priorities in the right place. Sarah says with pride, “I will be delighted to one day take my children for a check-up with Dr. Shante King!”

Christopher and Rocco: 2006-07 School Year

Christopher Vargas, a high school senior at Alfred E. Smith Career and Technical Education High School in the Bronx, and his mentor Rocco Laginestra, an employee of CB Richard Ellis, have been paired for the past three years through the New York City Mentoring Program. From the start, Christopher felt comfortable with Rocco because he seemed very genuine. He also knew that during his time with Rocco he was going to grow and learn by experiencing new things such as going to a Japanese restaurant in which he was exposed to a new culture and food. Whatever the activity or discussion, Rocco always grabs Christopher’s attention with “lessons” taught and Christopher considers Rocco not only a teacher or a mentor but a good friend and role model.

Christopher also admires Rocco’s ability to be a loyal motivator. When Christopher was very ill and had to spend some time in the hospital, Rocco went out of his way to keep Christopher positive and motivated to recover. “Rocco has simply taught me how to learn by going through experiences and coming out of them with a positive outlook regardless of the obstacles,” reflects Christopher.

Rocco has also benefited from their mentoring meetings. Observing that Christopher is a big proponent of taking his time in order to do things right, such as learning the “crow hop” baseball move while the pair was at Chelsea Piers one day, Rocco notes, “I have learned that I need to take more time when I do things. To stop and smell the roses as one would say.” He feels it is the new experiences that occur from the mentoring relationship that are the most valuable. “Sharing our time together cannot be replaced and has been a great learning experience for both of us.” The pair plans to stay in touch and continue to learn from each other even after this high school program is over. The two have formed a life-long friendship.

On January 26, 2007, Chancellor Joel I. Klein recognized Rocco Laginestra and Christopher Vargas as the New York City Mentoring Program’s 2007 Mentor-Mentee Pair of the Year. To read more, click here.

Johanny and Jeanette: 2005-06 School Year

When Johanny Olivo and Jeanette Pickel first met, they developed very strong impressions about each other. Jeanette felt her mentee, Johanny, was very shy and she wondered how she was going to get her to open up. Johanny recalled, “I thought my mentor was going to be one of those strict business women that only likes to sit in the office and do homework.” After spending a year together in the mentoring program, these impressions couldn’t be farther from the truth.

The very first activity that Johanny, a student at Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School in Manhattan, and Jeanette, a mentor from Lehman Brothers, enjoyed together was a visit to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, and afterwards, milkshakes and fun food at Planet Hollywood. As a result of this bonding experience, Jeanette reflects, “I really wanted to learn more about Johanny’s life and where her family was from.” Over the past year, the pair went to a Dominican restaurant in Johanny’s neighborhood with another mentor-mentee pair, visited the Museum of Modern Art, which Johanny had never been to, and even visited a nail salon! These activities built trust between the pair and helped their relationship grow into a wonderful friendship. In thinking about her relationship with Jeanette, Johanny says, “She is a good advice giver and I take what she tells me to heart. I don’t see her as just a mentor, but as a friend and maybe even a big sister.”

Going forward, the pair’s goals are to focus on Johanny’s college plans, and deciding on a college major. They intend to keep in touch over the summer.

Tobi and Linda: 2004-05 School Year

Oluwatobi “Tobi” Jaiyesimi, a senior at Clara Barton High School in Brooklyn, finished her college applications and sent them off as many of her friends and peers were still deciding where to apply. Afterwards, she said that she gives a lot of credit to Linda, her mentor, who had a positive approach to the process. Linda Snead, a veteran mentor with the Women in Government group, has been paired with Tobi for the past three years.

Together, Tobi and Linda have explored career options, completed community projects, and researched colleges and scholarships. “I believe the key to mentoring is that you lead through example,” says Tobi. “To mentor someone is to show them what life can be like and give them insight into the future. I can respectfully say that I have been mentored by Linda Snead in that she practices what she preaches.”

Linda, in turn, finds it rewarding to work with Tobi because she is committed not only to setting goals and making plans, but also to following through. From the beginning, Linda has supported Tobi in her efforts to map out her future and pursue academic success and personal independence. Tobi describes the impact of this experience by saying that, “…this mentoring program has brought me out of my cocoon, opened my eyes to the real world, and helped me to spread my wings.” Through her relationship with Linda, Tobi has developed a strong belief in the power and importance of mentoring. Her own experience led her to join a mentoring program where she serves in the role of mentor to two younger students at her school.

Gin and Andrew: 2004-05 School Year

When Andrew Schwartz was matched with Gin Ortiz almost three years ago, Andrew says that he was impressed with Gin from the start, noting that, “As intimidating as a business atmosphere can be to a high schooler, Gin stepped up and made a real effort to start a great relationship from the beginning.” Andrew, an employee of Major League Baseball, and Gin, a student at the Academy for Careers in Sports in the Bronx, have gone to baseball games, school functions, movies, museums, and libraries. You name it, they've done it. Even more important, however, is how much they talk. They talk about everything—school, friends, homework, the SAT, and family.

One particular occasion stands out in Andrew’s mind as a moment when he understood the impact that he could have on Gin’s life—when the pair visited the Drug Enforcement Agency’s temporary exhibit in Times Square late last year. “As mentors,” says Andrew, “we are dealing with very impressionable kids who look to us…for guidance. To the mentees, we are road maps to success. When it comes to our opinions and suggestions, it is paramount we provide a positive outlook for these kids.” With that in mind, Andrew felt that his exploration of this exhibit with Gin gave him the opportunity to increase Gin’s awareness and understanding of the impact that drugs have on the world and people’s lives.

With one more year of high school to go, it’s hard to imagine Andrew and Gin growing any closer. Andrew says, “Neither Gin nor I grew up with silver spoons in our mouths. We have and will continue to work towards success in life and business. But, since we’ve met, we have had each other. We’ve had someone to share our thoughts, suggestions, opinions, and criticism with, and we are both blessed for having each other.”

On January 19th, 2006, the New York City Department of Education’s New York City Mentoring Program honored Andrew and Gin as “Mentor~Mentee of the Year” at its annual Mentoring Month event. To read more, click here.

Janiya and Rachael: 2004-05 School Year

The first time Janiya Riley and Rachael Peters met, they played an icebreaker game where each person was given a card upon which another player had written a fun fact about him/herself. Janiya and Rachael just happened to receive each other's cards—and only found out later that they had also been matched as a mentor-mentee pair! (Their fun facts were: one of them had lived in a mud hut for a year and the other had a crooked pinky.)

Janiya, a student at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Manhattan, and Rachael, a mentor in the Cardinal Mentors program (a group of Wesleyan University alumni),have been paired for over a year now. In the first year of their relationship, Janiya and Rachael spent time chatting, eating cupcakes, exploring the Department of Education (where Rachael was then working), and going to movies. During the summer, Janiya participated in a summer program at the Department of Education’s City Hall Academy, which gave the pair the opportunity to see each other twice a week. “Since the summer Janiya and I have learned to lean on each other,” Rachael says. “I work with youth and will ask her questions about work I am doing, ideas I have, or articles I have seen. Janiya has learned that I am always happy to help her in preparing for anything from an interview to homework and will often email or call me for help.”

Danielle and Phillipa: 2004-05 School Year

On January 13, 2005, the New York City Department of Education's New York City Mentoring Program (NYCMP) honored Phillipa Philpot and Danielle Freeman as Mentor and Mentee of the Year at its annual Mentoring Month event. Phillipa and Danielle were paired through the NYCMP's partnership program between Home Box Office, Inc. and Frederick Douglass Academy. A little over a year ago, Phillipa, a web developer at Home Box Office, Inc., volunteered to be a mentor through her company and was unsure of what to expect. Though she was nervous, she was immediately put at ease after she met her new mentee, Danielle.

As they began to talk, they found that they shared many of the same interests: from music and television, to college and career choices. Danielle Freeman is now a senior at Frederick Douglass Academy in Manhattan. She is an outstanding student who has applied to twenty-three colleges and been accepted to eighteen of them thus far, several with full scholarships. She worked on the college application process with Phillipa, who has also shared her experiences of what it is like to go to college.

“A year and some months later, I still experience the same excitement and enthusiasm that I felt the first time we met,” notes Phillipa. They have connected in so many ways over the past year: meeting in Phillipa's office, talking on the phone, and even dress shopping for a formal event Danielle attended. It is clear that Danielle admires her mentor in the way she talks about her: “It is well known that most of life's lessons are learned outside the classroom, and Phillipa has been one of my best teachers.” Danielle, who Phillipa describes as wise beyond her years, has been a teacher as well, having had a profound impact on her mentor's life. Danielle taught her that the best way to be a mentor is to be genuine in your efforts and just be yourself.

George and Oliver: 2004-05 School Year

George Mtonga, a senior at Frederick Douglass Academy, has been embraced by his mentor, Oliver Hinds from Home Box Office, since getting matched in the fall of 2003. George has benefited from his mentor’s knowledge of various academic subjects and professional careers.

George immigrated to the United States from his native Zambia two years ago. George’s mentor, Oliver, is also an immigrant who is extremely self-motivated. He constantly gives George pep talks and encourages him to excel. As a UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Scholar, George attended the first UNCF Scholars event with his mentor last March 2004 and learned about various UNCF colleges, scholarships and the application process. Oliver has also offered to introduce George to some of his friends who are affiliated with some of these colleges.

George is grateful and truly appreciates the opportunity to be a part of the mentoring program. He and Oliver have established a special bond that will undoubtedly continue through George’s senior year and beyond. (2004-2005 School Year)

PeiDa and Josh: 2003-04 School Year

For the New York City Mentoring Program's Mentoring Recognition Day on January 15, 2004, mentor Josh Goldin and mentee PeiDa Guo were chosen to speak about their mentoring experience. Matched through the Lehman Brothers' partnership with Murry Bergtraum High School in Manhattan, Josh and PeiDa were paired in the autumn of 2002. PeiDa said that Josh “propelled me to achieve in high school during my critical junior year,” by providing constant encouragement. PeiDa felt that, as an immigrant student, he benefited from the program in part because his mentor understood the high school and college system in this country—and could, therefore, help him to determine how to succeed. For example, he became more involved in his school community by becoming a peer tutor and joining the soccer team. He has said, “Having a mentor is extremely helpful in every aspect of my life.”

College has been the focus of many of Josh and PeiDa's mentoring sessions. Josh said that, “I tried to broaden PeiDa's awareness of some great colleges that may not have been on his radar screen initially, to help demystify the nuts and bolts of the application process and help him understand what it's like to actually be a student on a college campus.” Josh advised his mentee on how to prepare for college by developing a timeline, helping him to prepare for tests such as the SAT, and conducting thorough research on colleges.

PeiDa, a typically shy and soft-spoken young man, said that Josh gave him the confidence and “the courage to share my own experiences with so many people listening” at the citywide Mentoring Recognition Day event on January 15th.

Jacob and Greg: 2003-04 School Year

Described as a “match made in Heaven,” Jacob Emmanuel, a student at Curtis High School on Staten Island, and Greg Farmer of the Federal Reserve Bank share a mentoring relationship that has endured for more than two years. At the Mentoring Partnership Symposium on October 25, 2003, the two were honored for their commitment to their mentoring relationship.

Greg and Jacob speak to one another at least three times a week and get together on a weekly basis. “We connected…like a father and son in one way…and brother-to-brother in another,” said Greg. Greg’s paternal instincts surfaced, for example, when Jacob bought an expensive pair of shoes. Concerned with the student’s spending habits, he took Jacob to a store and showed him a collection of desirable items that he could have bought, along with a nice pair of sneakers, for the same price. Jacob was all set to return his new shoes, but instead the two laughed about the incident and Greg told Jacob to make sure to call him next time he wanted to go shopping. He did, and Greg says that he now trusts that Jacob will be responsible with his money.

On another occasion, the pair shared more of a brotherly moment when they attended a Multiple Sclerosis charity walk on Staten Island. They had signed up for a seven mile walk, but got lost along the way and ended up walking 13 miles before they crossed the finish line. Shared experiences like these have given the two the opportunity to talk, laugh, and learn together. “Without him,” says Jacob, “I will not make it in life. He always cares about me. He makes sure that I pass all my classes and attend school everyday. Now, we are trying to make a trip to a college.” They are both happy with the relationship and are glad that the program brought them together.