Reflecting, Recommitting and Moving Forward Together
Dear Friends,
This month I am proud to celebrate a special milestone – April 22nd marked my one year anniversary of leading Mass Mentoring Partnership as President and Chief Executive Officer.
Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to learn the work of this great organization and engage with many of you to understand where we have been and where we could go. It’s been a thrilling experience – from starting my day 15 at Fenway Park for Mentoring Night, to making my rounds visiting partners and attending regional gatherings, to being part of the success of signature events like Cheers! To Mentoring and Youth Mentoring Day at the State House, and being enveloped in all the intricacies of those more quiet, but equally important, days in between.
Much has been done in the past calendar year that speaks to where we would like to be – as an organization, as a team, as a community. We are building together, working together, and dreaming together – moving toward what we know and believe is possible for us as an organization. We are feeling new, refreshed, and present.
With your continued partnership we’ve made incredible strides toward our mission — and we’re just getting started.
We are here because every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed. Yet, too many face barriers — to education, career pathways, and essential support systems — despite the strengths they bring to our schools, programs, and communities. We are here because mentoring matters — as a strategy for today, and a foundation for a better tomorrow.
One of the difficult realities that we have had to face over the last year, along with many colleagues leading nonprofits across our Commonwealth, is the changing tides in the social, political, and funding landscape. Changes that threaten our ability to build and grow this necessary and urgent movement to address essential support for young people.
Now is not the time to pull back — it’s the time to recommit.
We envision a Massachusetts where every young person has access to a network of supportive, consistent relationships that help them thrive. That kind of connected and robust mentoring ecosystem doesn’t happen by chance. It takes all of us — every sector, every community, every role — to step in, step up, and see ourselves in this movement. This is exactly why MMP exists: to maximize our collective impact in support of transformative mentoring relationships across the state. By strengthening this network, we are not only giving young people the tools they need to be their brightest selves, but we are also building stronger, more resilient communities for all.
I invite you to take action and continue building this movement with us:
🌟 Join the movement by signing up on our website
🌟 Make a donation to support the continued work of MMP
🌟 Attend MMP events and trainings to deepen your impact
🌟 Advocate for the mentoring movement by engaging with your legislators & emphasizing the importance of state funding for mentoring
Together, we are creating the conditions for young people to thrive — and we are so grateful to have you with us on this journey.
With deep appreciation,
Cynthia K. Orellana, P.h.D.
Mass Mentoring Partnership