Program News 2007
“Having Positive People Who Believe in You Does Make a Difference”
Current and former participants of the Ernst & Young mentoring program at Adlai Stevenson High School gathered recently to celebrate one of New York City’s most successful and longest running mentoring programs. In honor of the celebration, the Bronx Borough President issued a proclamation declaring October 18th 2007 “Ernst & Young Mentoring Day.”
For the past fifteen years employees of the New York branch of the international accounting and consulting firm have provided one-on-one mentoring to Stevenson students. Additionally, Ernst & Young funds a full-time Good Shepherd Services’ employee who works onsite at Stevenson to coordinate the program.
Ernst & Young’s Kathy Martin, who along with Ed Pisani and Kevin Reilly, inititated the program back in 1992, spoke of the dedication of the mentors, who participate enthusiastically despite their busy schedules. She recalled how one current mentor had originally become involved with the program in the 1990s, was subsequently transferred to Japan for several years, and then upon returning to New York, immediately called her to ask about becoming a mentor again.
“Having positive people who believe in you does make a difference,” said an alumnae of the program who graduated from Stevenson in 2001, adding that she hopes her own infant daughter will be lucky enough to experience a relationship like the one she had with her mentor. Another former mentee, now a law student, told the assembled crowd “This program gave me the confidence and ability to follow my dreams. All you need is the desire and the right people in your life.”
The mentoring program kick-off for this school year will be happening shortly, and thirty Stevenson students have already signed up to join the ranks of over 400 young people who have benefited from the caring, consistent devotion of the Ernst & Young mentors.
November 30, 2007
