Mentoring USA, a New York City based nonprofit, forges powerful, transformative connections for young people through the advocacy and involvement of mentors. Using a one-to-one site-based model, our trained mentors inspire by example and model positive life choices.

Description and/or History:
Mentoring USA believes that the presence of a caring adult in a young person’s life increases self-esteem, strengthens relationships with peers and adults, improves academic performance and attendance, and helps combat school drop-out. Research increasingly indicates that children who succeed, despite often enormous personal, economic or social obstacles, do so because of caring, competent adults who believe in them. Mentoring outcomes are reciprocal: mentors attest to enhanced self image and self esteem, fulfilling expression of personal values and accrue cultural capital and a diverse perspective.
In 1987 a statewide, non-partisan committee chaired by Matilda Raffa Cuomo, then First Lady of New York, established the New York State Mentoring Program. This initiative was developed in response to New York’s alarming school drop out rates and teenage pregnancy. The program was the first school-based, one-to-one mentoring program in the country.

In 1995, when state funding was no longer available, Matilda Raffa Cuomo founded Mentoring USA to further her work which cemented her status as a passionate, committed and tireless champion for young people in New York.

MUSA is affiliated with HELP USA, a leading provider of transitional housing and on-site services for homeless families in the nation.

Contact person: Mentoring USA, (212) 400-8223, (email)

Address:

5 Hanover Square, 18th Floor New York, NY 10004 (See a map)