Pair Profiles

Billy was initially nervous about meeting Marcus. He had never been involved with mentoring before and was not sure that he would have a close relationship with his mentor. Billy recalls “I thought that a mentor was just an advisor, and that we would only talk about school. I didn’t know you could have a personal connection.”

Elizabeth learned about iMentor through a close friend, who got involved through his employer’s corporate volunteerism program. She was impressed by the program and signed up immediately.

Lisa is a rising senior at Brooklyn International High School. She was born in China and came to New York with her family about 8 years ago. She is very close with her family and friends and travels to China whenever possible. Lisa is a vocal and motivated student at school, and her future plans include teaching or accounting. Next on the radar for Lisa is the SAT and visiting several SUNY and CUNY colleges.

Brandon and Giovanni are in a 1 1/2 year match that began in January of 2008. They hit the ground running with the weekly emails, and they really connected when they met for the first time at the kickoff event. Brandon was transferred to Boston for work in February, but he has not missed one email, has attended several events (travelling from Boston), and has scheduled meetings with Giovanni throughout the remainder of school year. The pair has handled the move as if nothing changed.

Alexandra was born and raised in Manhattan and grew up in the NYC public schools. She studied Communication and Psychology at the University of Miami before returning to New York City where she currently lives. She was extremely shy growing up and has been able to draw upon her very different, yet parallel, experiences to provide support and encouragement to Qian.

Ola O. attends Bronx Preparatory Charter School, and lives in the South Bronx. Originally from Nigeria, Ola immigrated to the United States when he was 9 years old and enrolled in Bronx Prep when he was in 8th grade. Alphonso (Al) works on the trading floor of UBS as an Institutional Trader/Sales Trader. He was raised in the South Bronx, where his mother and brother still reside. Now a resident of Connecticut, Al heard of iMentor through his cousin who is an alumnus of Bronx Preparatory Charter School and the iMentor program. Ola is Al's first mentee and they have been matched since October of 2007.

Both creative writers, Ana and Kristen have been able to connect on issues of writing. Ana shares her ideas for stories with Kristen, as well as questions or concerns she has about the process of creating her stories. Though Ana currently finds it easier to express herself in French, she has made it a goal to write a novel in English and has reached out to Kristen for guidance. Kristen encourages Ana in their weekly emails, asking for the latest on her stories and life, and reminding her that, “it just takes a little practice!”

Ceez (mentee) was matched with a mentor this year through iMentor’s partnership with The Urban Assembly School for Careers in Sports. Ceez is a junior in high school and a spoken word artist who regularly performs with the New York youth spoken word organization, "Urban Word". Ceez is matched with volunteer mentor Carmela Luzzi who is a first time mentor. Carmela likes iMentor because of the flexibility it offers her enabling her to develop a positive relationship with a NYC teenager. Ceez was not initially interested in the iMentor program. However, after being matched with Carmela, a mentor who recognized her creativity and passion for spoken word, Ceez has opened up through her emails and in-person meetings. Carmela and Ceez have begun to develop their relationship as they continue to email excidedly and make plans to meet in person as often as possible.