Dear Friends & Family:

Some of you have heard me talk about iMentor and for others this will be the first you hear about it. It is a mentoring program that matches NYC professionals with high school students. The mentors/mentees email each other once a week via the iMentor website and meet in person once a month at sponsored events. These are the minimum requirements for the program but over time more frequent communication occurs and is encouraged.

I am half way into my 3 year match with Raheen. He is the second mentee that I have been paired with and he attends Careers in Sports High School located in the South Bronx. He is a well spoken, motivated young man who loves basketball and playing with computers. I look forward to partenering with him to explore ways he can create a plan that guides him to his next steps after high school. As a junior, it's important that we begin to plan and prepare for what he needs to do be ready for applying to colleges as well as possibily securing a summer job.

My first mentee Nelson is on track to graduate from Bronx Community College in December. He plans to continue his education at either Hunter or Lehman College to earn a degree in Elementary Education. It was very rewarding to see Nelson grow over the four years I have known him. It was great to see him first get comfortable with the concept of college and then do everything he needed to ensure he would succeed once he was there. I am so proud of everything he has accomplished and more importantly for the positive role model he is for his siblings.

Growing up in the Bronx, I understand that it can be difficult to find positive role models and mentors to help guide a young person in the right direction. People who know me know that I am very grateful for everyone who has acted as a Mentor or a Role Model as I have progressed through my life. I take pride in this opportunity to do the same for Raheen now. I am currently the Co-Chair of the Young Executive Board for iMentor and I continue to look for other ways to assist in the continued success of the life changing mentoring program.

I know there is never a good time to ask for money but please consider donating to iMentor. Come on...skip one meal out or a few drinks after work. That money could really make a difference for the students who participate in this great program. If you can, please forward to anyone else who you think may be interested in donating. MOST IMPORTANTLY - consider becoming a Mentor yourself.

Thanks!
Jay

(see below for specific Online Dononr Drive details)

WELCOME TO IMENTOR'S 2012 ONLINE DONOR DRIVE!

ONLINE DONOR WHAT?
You ended up here because someone told you about the Online Donor Drive, and now you’re probably wondering what it’s all about? The Online Donor Drive (ODD) is a "friendraising" campaign aimed at bringing together mentors and their networks to raise awareness and funds to support iMentor's work (think bike-a-thon, with less “bike” and more “thon”). 

“[My mentor] helped me realize that if I want to succeed, I have to do better. She’s helped me learn the steps on how to become a better person and also a better student. I want to succeed.”

-Emily, iMentor mentee

The drive is about Emily, and thousands of students like her, who have the potential to do great things.  Last year, ODD brought in over $86,000, the most ODD has ever raised!  This year we aim to shatter that record, and with your help, raise over $125,000. 

BUT WHY IS THE ONLINE DONOR DRIVE IMPORTANT?
Word of mouth is a powerful thing.  The best way to learn about iMentor is from the people who, week after week, dedicate their time, passion and support- mentors.  It costs $1,000 a year to support a pair and ensure they have access to the highest quality programming and resources.  So whether you help with $10 or $1,000, your involvement makes you part of a network of individuals making a lasting investment in the life of a high school student.

So spread the word and get everyone in your network involved in this year’s ODD. It’s not every day that you can say you helped change a life, but today can be that day.

To learn more about iMentor, visit www.imentor.org

ABOUT IMENTOR
iMentor provides youth in underserved communities with college-educated mentors who help students develop the leadership, academic, and social skills needed to graduate high school college ready and succeed in college.

Mentors send one weekly email on a topic that iMentor provides and meet their mentees once a month at a group event that iMentor organizes. This year, 2,400 New York City high school students will work one-on-one with their mentors to build a bright future.

Want to learn more? Check out what it takes to become a mentor.