Founded by Former First Lady Matilda Cuomo in 1984, the mentoring program seeks to create mentor/mentee relationships for children in schools, foster care, and the court system.
Mentors are positive role models who guide youth with respect, structure, and compassion to build positive life skills.
The NYS Mentoring Program was included in the FY2016 State Budget and began to grow each year until the impact of COVID-19 on schools which resulted in the number of programs being reduced by 50 percent. The programs that continued adapted to virtual applications for implementation.
In fall 2021, Governor Hochul announced a new Latina Mentoring Program Cohort to be launched in early 2022 in regions throughout the state. Moreover, the Program has seen a significant uptick in interest and commitment, doubling the number of programs and mentors, bringing the program back to pre-pandemic results.
The NYS Mentoring Program leverages the resources of communities, schools, and businesses to match youth with screened and trained volunteer mentors. Currently, there is one Program Director and eight program staff located in regions throughout the state training and supporting dedicated adults and high-achieving high school students who are matched with students in the school-based program and youth involved in the court system.
When you join the NYS Mentoring Program, you are helping to make a real difference in a young person's life! The process to become a mentor is simple. Click here to apply.
If you prefer to mail your Mentoring application,
please complete and print this PDF application and send it to:
Council on Children and Families
52 Washington Street, Suite 99 West
Rensselaer, NY 12144
Call 1-518-473-3652
OR
e-mail the NYS Mentoring Program
Visit the NYS Mentoring Program Website to learn more about the program. You may also contact the mentoring staff person for your county. Use the mentoring regional map to locate your county mentoring coordinator to learn about mentoring in your area.
A “Public Private Ventures” study shows:
What does Mentoring Entail:
Partners of the NYS Mentoring Program include Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC), the Mentoring Advisory Council, and the wide array of community partners that help promote the NYS Mentoring Program.
Honorable Matilda Raffa Cuomo
New York State Mentoring Program Founder and Chair Emeritus
Former First Lady of New York State
Mitchell J. Auslander
Attorney
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Debbie Benson
Executive Director, NYS Council on Children and Families (retired)
Judith Beville
Former Regional Director - NYS Mentoring Program
Town Official, Town of Greenburgh, Westchester County
BJ Carter
Healthy Directions, National Program Director, Healthy Children Healthy Futures
Don Distasio
Retired CEO of American Cancer Society Eastern Division
Baldwinsville Rotary Club President
NYS Cancer Prevention Council - Board member
NYS Health Research Board Member
YMCA - Board Member
Sandy Gallo
Long Island
Kevin Leyden
Former Senior Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Partnerships
Albany Medical Center
Nisha Menton, Esq.
Partner, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Susan Murante
Media Consultant
Terry Paladini-Baumgarten
Economist - International Consultant and Bank Advisor
Former International Banker and Professor
International Relations Chair to Lions Clubs International – DR2
Founder and former President of the NY Financial District Lions Club
Jim Quail
Retired NYC Public Schools Superintendent
Educational Consultant
Pat Reilly
Former Deputy Commissioner, NYC Department of Motor Vehicles (retired)
Kim Walker, Esq.
Court, Attorney-Referee, Kings County Family Court
If you have questions about the NYS Mentoring Program, please contact:
Phone: 518-473-3652
E-mail: NYS Mentoring Program
