Mentoring USA Holds Appreciation Reception
By Ari McKenna

This year’s Appreciation Reception for Mentoring USA’s volunteers and devotees, which took place at the headquarters of the New York City Police Department recently, became a ceremony of gratitude to the very kids that the volunteers are helping. Speakers who stepped up to the microphone extended their praises towards their mentees and spoke warmly of the opportunity that they have been given to work with these kids.

Nate “Tiny” Archibald, NBA Hall of Famer, teacher, and mentor was in attendance to
present the Special Recognition Award to Natalie Lukas, who was the Site Coordinator for JHS104 and spoke about “the joy of watching them [mentors] give love and understanding.”

Other awards were presented to the New York City Police Department, Bloomingdale’s, The Junior League of the City of New York, and Morgan Stanley for their continued participation in the program. Mentor and Police Officer Richard Pierre addressed the old adage “it takes a village to raise a child” as he accepted the award for the department. He underscored the importance of helping youngsters view cops as members of this village and “come to realize that the NYPD is more then just guns and badges.”

Other notable speakers were Matilda Raffa Cuomo, the Founder and Chair of Mentoring USA, Richard P. Motta, the President and CEO of HELP USA, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, and news anchor Soledad O’Brien who is the mentor of three young girls and was the evening’s Mistress of Ceremonies. O’Brien mentioned that although mentoring is a giving experience, “Mentors are grateful” for being able to spend time with such bright young kids. Natasha Atkins, a program manager, who was busy recruiting new mentors at the entrance to the large hall, credited her mentee, Jamilla McKae, for allowing her to reconnect with her own inner-child.

Founded in 1995, Mentoring USA, a nonprofit organization which pairs adult volunteer mentors with “at risk” kids has expanded to two other continents. The program requests that adult volunteers meet with their children once per week, nine to ten months out of the year. The program hopes that this small weekly block of stability will help to improve kids expectations and nourish their self-esteem. As Richard Pierre aptly puts it, “Our youth must believe that they can and will be successful.”#

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