Bank of America Encourages Employees to "Change a Life. Be a Mentor."

Mass Mentoring Partnership and Bank of America, one of the largest employers in Massachusetts, are launching an exciting statewide initiative to engage BOA employees in youth mentoring, a pilot that BOA  hopes to replicate in markets around the country and MMP plans to duplicate with other large employers.

In a town-hall style meeting in Boston that BOA hosted to formally announce the partnership, Bank of America Massachusetts President Bob Gallery said that BOA looks for ways to “build bridges” and encourage nonprofits to work together, and MMP – the umbrella for youth mentoring in Massachusetts – is a great example of that.

“I can’t think of an organization in this city that represents (that concept) better than Mass Mentoring,” Gallery said.

The initiative, driven in part by a $10,000 grant from BOA, will arm BOA employees with information about mentoring so that they can make informed decisions about becoming mentors themselves.  Employees will learn how to manage expectations with mentees and how to set limits.  In addition, the concept of mentoring will be de-mystified and employees will learn of the various mentoring options available to them.

This new facet to an already deep relationship between BOA and MMP emerges at an important juncture for corporate America, as President Obama’s powerful call to service emphasizes service as a business imperative rather than an act of kindness, said David Shapiro, MMP President and CEO.

“This is a partnership not with Mass Mentoring, but the field of mentoring in Massachusetts,” Shapiro added.  “We’re hoping to make it a model for what MMP can do with lots of others.”

The partnership between BOA and MMP is guided by MMP’s recent strategic plan, which outlined and honed one of MMP's strategies in mentor recruitment: to operate "wholesale" mentor recruitment and referral efforts with "mentor-rich" partners and high-profile brands.  This will help bring more adults to volunteer as mentors to the some 3,000 kids currently engaged with programs but who are on wait lists for mentors.

North Quincy High School Mentoring Program Provides Wealth of Benefits

In 2004, State Street Corporation and Mass Mentoring Partnership launched a pilot mentoring program at North Quincy High School with five mentors and mentees. Building on the success of the pilot, the program grew to 11 mentors and mentees the following year and will expand to an estimated 35 for the 2006/07 academic year.

In early 2006, Mass Mentoring Partnership – the umbrella agency for youth mentoring programs in Massachusetts -- conducted an evaluation of the program and found overwhelmingly that the students were enthusiastic about it, they were recommending it to their friends, and they hoped to continue in the program during their time at North Quincy High School.

On average, using a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being positive, the students gave the mentoring program a 4.7 rating. The mentors from State Street Corporation were also pleased with their experience in the program, giving it a 4.5 rating. In particular, students noted that the mentoring program is helping them:

• Feel better about themselves;
• Be more committed to attending school; and
• Understand the importance of academics.

This growth and success of the North Quincy High School Mentoring Program would not have been possible without the support of the school administration, including Principal Lou Ioanilli, Assistant Principal Pam Mateu, Guidance Counselor Sue DeCoste, and Library Teacher Joan Holt, who is the day-to-day coordinator of the program and primary contact for the students.

State Street Corporation has also been a highly engaged partner in the initiative -- not only through employee participation, but also through its efforts as a program Champion to engage Boston Financial Data Services and Blue Cross Blue Shield as new partners. Leading this effort is employee Chris Meyers, who received State Street’s prestigious Chairman’s Award for his work. In recognition of State Street’s overall leadership role in the initiative, Mass Mentoring awarded the company its annual Corporate Champion of Mentoring Award in May 2006, which was presented by one of the students in the program and his mentor at Fenway Park.

What North Quincy High School students say about the program:

“Now that I have a mentor, I’ve done better in school.”

“I’m sad to see the time end with my mentor; I get lots of positive feelings, and I’m glad I’m spending the time”

“I feel like I have someone I can to talk to...and my mentor won't judge me.”

What the mentors say:

“It would be great if every student had a mentor to talk to.”

“Our weekly discussions have given me a window into a high schooler's perspectives!”

“I truly enjoyed the program with my student. She and I have shared an experience of a lifetime and I only hope in some small way, I have made a difference in her life, as she has made a tremendous impact on mine.”

Raytheon Company Promotes Corporate Campus Academic Mentoring

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' volunteers joined the Stand and Deliver Mentoring Program in 2004 and piloted the corporate campus academic mentoring model, where students are bussed to the mentors’ company facilities once a week throughout the school year.  This not only makes it do-able for the mentors but is a great opportunity for the students to see and learn about corporate America.

The focus of this academic mentoring program is math but could easily be used for science, literacy or other subjects.  Beyond the help with tutoring, the mentors offer support and encouragement and serve as positive role models for the students.    Through the relationships that develop,  the mentees come to believe in themselves and their ability to accomplish great things.

Based on the success of the corporate campus academic model and the need to encourage and help students with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) subjects, Raytheon Company, Stand and Deliver, and MMP have teamed up to offer to help organizations and corporations develop corporate campus academic mentoring programs.

MMP can provide guidance to schools and corporations who are interested in exploring and forming mentoring partnerships, offering technical assistance and training on program start-up and beyond.

Raytheon has promoted corporate campus academic mentoring at the Massachusetts STEM Summit, DOME (Diversity and Outreach in Math and Engineering) Symposium, and the MAS (Massachusetts Academy of Science) forum on STEM education that was stimulated by Governor Deval Patrick’s “Readiness Project.” Because of their efforts in launching the corporate campus program, MMP named Raytheon a 2007 Champion of Mentoring.

Matching students with caring adults in the STEM field, corporate campus academic mentoring is an opportunity which can have a tremendous, positive impact to the mentees, the mentors, and to the future of science and engineering in Massachusetts.

If you are interested in starting your own corporate campus academic mentoring program, please contact Marty Martinez, director of program services at Mass Mentoring Partnership, at 617.695.2448 or at mmartinez@massmentors.org.

Above right: Raytheon Stand and Deliver mentors and mentees and Stand and Deliver founder Ed Warnshuis had the honor of singing and ASL signing the National Anthem at Mentoring Night at Fenway Park 2009.