Are you ready to make a difference in a young person’s life? Our mentors are the heart of our organization. All you need is an open mind and an open heart.
Your donation helps curate a long-term, positive adult relationship for a young person with few adult connections. Make a tax-deductible donation today.
We work in partnership with child welfare agencies throughout NYC and Westchester County at no cost to the agencies. Refer a young person today.
Our Mission
The mission of Connections is to work in partnership with young people, families, organizations, and volunteers to curate long-lasting, supportive mentoring relationships that improve self-worth for young people with past, current, or peripheral contact with the child welfare or juvenile justice systems in New York City or Westchester County.
Transforming lives one relationship at a time.
“You don’t have to have the right answers or fix everything. You are somebody that cares about them and that they can care about.”
Hear about the impact of Connections mentoring from Connections mentors and mentees.
Who We Serve
Connections mentees are resilient young people (15-25 years old) full of potential with current, past, or peripheral contact with the child welfare system in NYC and Westchester County.
Meet Henry
When I was 14 years old, I lived in Brooklyn with my mom and my siblings. Mom worked long shift jobs to take care of our family and I helped care for my two brothers and sister. Older neighborhood boys lured me into being a lookout while they sold drugs because I wanted the money to help my mom pay bills and feed the family. I wanted a pair of new sneakers for basketball tryouts, too. The guys trusted me and started to let me sell a little bit.
I got caught and arrested.
Where We Reach
Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island, Queens, Brooklyn and Westchester
Connections mentors and mentees meet in community settings throughout the five boroughs and Westchester County. They may take a walk, have a picnic, go grocery shopping, or visit a museum. Each relationship is unique, so each relationship chooses the what, when, and where that works for them.
Help Us Make Our Impact
Connections is unique. We stick with our mentees for a minimum of one year, regardless of whether they change living situations or transition completely out of the system. We have found that this model works – young people develop long-term relationships with a positive adult who genuinely cares about them, increasing their own sense of self-worth.
