MENTOR’s Impact: 2025
MENTOR leads, expands, and strengthens the mentoring movement so that every young person can access strong, supportive relationships. Our vision is a future where relationships power opportunities for all.
Over the past year, we have supported more than 3,200 mentoring programs and practitioners through training, professional coaching, research-based resources and tools, community-building convenings, and advocacy opportunities. Together, these efforts are helping programs reach more than 500,000 young people in communities across the country.
Thank you to our network of partners, supporters and champions across the country for helping to advance our mission and for being a part of the mentoring movement.
In 2025, MENTOR brought together 1,300+ leaders at the National Mentoring Summit, the field’s premier convening.
Connected 16,054 people to local mentoring opportunities through the Mentoring Connector.
Led an advocacy coalition of more than 70 local, regional and national organizations advocating for increased public and private investment in youth mentoring.
Delivered 23,962 free quality mentoring resource downloads for the field.
Spread mentoring opportunities to 285,000 young people through our Relationship- Centered Schools initiative
Provided 11,637 hours of on-the ground support and professional coaching to mentoring programs impacting 101,107 young people
Advancing Local Leadership
Across the country, MENTOR Affiliates are working every day to expand access to quality mentoring and create meaningful impact in their communities. Here are just a few examples of Affiliate leadership in 2025.
MENTOR California
MENTOR California is helping advance the Governor’s California Men’s Service Challenge, a statewide effort to address the growing disconnection facing young men and boys. The initiative calls on 10,000 men to serve as mentors, coaches, and tutors, strengthening supportive relationships that foster belonging, mental health, and positive development. By mobilizing caring adults and community partners, the challenge aims to expand mentoring opportunities across California and ensure more young men have the guidance, encouragement, and connection they need to thrive.
MENTOR Greater Milwaukee
Through a multiyear federal GEAR UP grant, MENTOR Greater Milwaukee is partnering with Milwaukee Public Schools to embed mentoring and relationship-centered practices across the district. MGM is leading design labs and engaging students, educators, and community stakeholders to shape strategies that strengthen peer mentoring and student support systems. The effort aims to expand access to rigorous coursework, strengthen academic and career advising, and reduce the need for remedial education—helping more students stay engaged, prepared for postsecondary opportunities, and on track for long-term success.
MENTOR New York
MENTOR New York is strengthening mentoring strategies to address chronic absenteeism. Efforts include supporting New York City’s Department of Education “Success Mentors” initiative, which trains school staff to mentor students missing 10 or more days of school, while also working with programs that reconnect out-of-school youth and promote parent engagement. Together, these approaches use mentoring and mentor-like relationships to improve attendance, engagement, and graduation outcomes.
MENTOR Indiana
Through its Five by 50 initiative, MENTOR Indiana, part of the Indiana Youth Institute, is strengthening the network of organizations and adults who support young people across the state. The campaign’s bold vision is that by 2050 every child in Indiana will be connected to at least five supportive adults outside their home. Grounded in research showing that caring relationships drive youth well-being and success, Five by 50 mobilizes schools, mentors, youth workers, and community leaders to build a stronger web of support so young people can develop resilience, confidence, and the connections they need to thrive.
MENTOR Connecticut
MENTOR Connecticut, part of The Governor’s Prevention Partnership, strengthened support for youth mentoring through advocacy and community partnerships in 2025. The organization advanced mentoring priorities on Capitol Hill, completed a federal SAMHSA-funded community initiative, and pursued new investments with the City of Bridgeport to expand mentoring opportunities. MENTOR Connecticut also partnered with elected officials to highlight local mentoring collaborations through in-district events and press conferences, elevating the role of mentoring in strengthening communities.
The Mentoring Partnership of Southwest Pennsylvania
In December, Colleen Fedor, CEO of MENTOR’s Pennsylvania Affiliate, the Mentoring Partnership of SW PA, retired after more than 25 years of leadership. During her tenure, she helped strengthen the mentoring movement across Southwest PA, working closely with advocates, elected leaders, and community partners to expand opportunities for young people to connect with caring adult mentors. Colleen’s leadership helped build a strong regional network supporting youth-serving organizations and mentoring programs. We celebrate her lasting impact and thank her for decades of service to young people and the mentoring field.
