Mentoring Program Offers 1-on-1 Support for NYCHA Residents in Early College Years

Navigating the first couple years of college can be quite the undertaking, but for some, having someone to lean on for guidance might be just the resource they need to get over the hump.  

Through a new free program, NYCHA residents who are enrolled in either their first or second year of college are provided the opportunity to work one-on-one with a mentor for career planning and other support.  

The NYCHA College Mentoring Program is an initiative between the Authority and the Fund for Public Housing, a nonprofit that supports NYCHA and its residents, with a key focus on opportunities for youth. The pilot program features the post-secondary curriculum of iMentor, a nonprofit that partners students with a college-educated mentor to help them succeed in their college journey and achieve their ambitions.  

“We were looking to offer NYCHA youth opportunities for career development,” said Carrie Torres, Strategic Projects Manager in NYCHA’s Office of Public/Private Partnerships, who serves as a liaison to the Fund. 

The college-enrolled NYCHA residents will take part in monthly virtual skill-building workshops with their mentor and receive ongoing program support for up to two years. Students will also be eligible to apply for emergency financial support from iMentor for supplies such as a laptop, and earn compensation for participating in all mentor program activities.  

“We really wanted a way to provide residents with a resource that would help them to persist on their college journey,” said Tischelle George, NYCHA’s Director of Resident Engagement. 

The participating mentors are professionals from various industries who have earned at least a bachelor’s degree. Each mentor undergoes a background screening before being matched with a college mentee.  

While some students may face challenges as they seek to complete a bachelor’s program, Ms. Torres noted that having a mentor can help improve their chances of fulfilling the degree requirements. For those who are the first in their family to attend college, a mentorship with a college graduate can help shepherd them through the experience, Ms. George added.  

“The one-on-one mentoring is something we anticipate NYCHA residents may truly value, especially if they are a first-generation college student,” Ms. George said.  

For more information, email resident.programs@nycha.nyc.gov.