Lehman Brothers and The Mentoring Tree Foundation Celebrate National Mentoring Month with City Students and Their Adult Role Models
Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein today congratulated the New York City Mentoring Program’s 2008 Mentor-Mentee of the Year, Chantrese Williams, a senior at Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School, and Katherine Ryan, a vice president of municipal bond trading at Lehman Brothers. Chantrese is one of more than 1,000 students who participate in the program, which pairs public school students with adult role models from nearly 40 partnering organizations, including law firms, entertainment companies, and financial institutions. Mentors help their mentees improve their academic performance, plan for and apply to college, and explore career opportunities by giving them exposure to the workplace. Chantrese will receive $1,000 for college expenses from The Mentoring Tree Foundation for being named the 2008 Mentee of the Year. She and Ms. Ryan, who have been working together for three years, were honored at a celebration of National Mentoring Month at Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School in Midtown.
“Mentors make a tremendous difference in the lives of our students,” Chancellor Klein said. “I owe a great deal to the mentors who guided and helped me when I was in school and throughout my life. I thank all the New Yorkers who give their time and support to our public school students and I commend our 2008 winners for exemplifying the virtues of a successful mentor-mentee relationship.”
“When I was told that we were being nominated for the Mentor-Mentee of the Year Award, I was overwhelmed by the honor,” Ms. Ryan said. “Chantrese came to me as a full package, no assembly required. It has been an honor and a privilege to guide her through her high school years and help her prepare for life after graduation. ”
“My mentor and I have a relationship that is like no other, filled with trust, humor, and fun,” Ms. Williams said. “She has given me direction—something that most adolescents have a difficult time finding.”
The New York City Mentoring Program began in the 1983-84 school year and is the largest mentoring program operated by a school district in the United States. The program serves more than 1,000 students through 40 programs and 37 partnering organizations in all five boroughs. The program exposes students to real-life work environments and helps them explore career possibilities. The program is coordinated by the Department of Education’s Office of Strategic Partnerships. Organizations interested in providing mentors should contact Mentor@schools.nyc.gov or visit www.nycmentoringprogram.org.
The Mentoring Tree Foundation aims to help underserved children succeed in school and go on to college. It provides funding for academic support such as tutoring, after-school activities, and, in some cases, tuition for private school.
Now in its seventh year, National Mentoring Month focuses national attention on the need for mentors and the positive difference adult role models can make in children’s lives.
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Contact: David Cantor / Maibe González Fuentes (212) 374-5141