Making a Difference in New York and Chicago: iMentor and Marsh & McLennan Companies
It’s only been a little over a year since iMentor began working with the global professional services firm Marsh & McLennan Companies, but the partnership has already had a big impact on iMentor and the students we serve.
In New York City and Chicago, 52 Marsh & McLennan Companies employees volunteer as mentors to students in low-income communities. Each mentor works one-on-one with a high school student to develop college-readiness skills and navigate the college application process. Amit Loungani, a mentor from Mercer, a subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, is helping his mentee, Philip, a junior at KIPP NYC College Prep, focus on time management and organizing his priorities. Philip’s goals are to get his grades up, do well on the SATs, and finish his college applications; he is also very passionate about dance. Amit is helping Philip learn to balance his academic goals and his extracurricular interests. “He already recognizes where he stands and wants to improve, and I try to help him organize that. I can't take too much credit…but hearing it from me just propels it or sets it in motion,” Amit says. “Saying your goals out loud to someone can make them more attainable.”
In addition to working with iMentor in New York City, Marsh & McLennan Companies wanted their Chicago employees to have an opportunity to volunteer in their community as well. As a result, the Company also sponsored our iMentor Interactive program at Muchin College Prep High School in Chicago, which is providing the school with its first mentoring program. And 20 of the Firm’s employees are volunteering as mentors to students at the school. “Marsh has a big presence in Chicago, and this is my way of getting involved in the city, and in the future of city,” said Jennifer Lester, a mentor in Chicago and an employee of Marsh, one of the Company’s other subsidiaries.
Marsh & McLennan Companies is a true thought partner for iMentor, helping to develop new ways to bring more mentors into schools through employee engagement. The Company’s commitment to the communities in which it works is spreading among its employees. Amit notes, "I don't think I would have found out about [iMentor] through my own means....That Mercer puts its name behind it shows that they've done their homework and it is worthwhile."
iMentor is excited to continue the partnership with Marsh & McLennan Companies. In January, the Company joined our 100 Mentor Pledge and committed to expanding their engagement with iMentor to include 100 of their employees as mentors. Next school year, Marsh & McLennan Companiesand iMentor are also expanding their partnership in Chicago. Current volunteers will continue to mentor students already in the program, as they become Muchin’s first class of graduating seniors. Additionally, Marsh & McLennan Companies will recruit 20 additional volunteers to mentor a new group of juniors.
Sign up today to become a mentor at www.imentor.org/become-a-mentor.
