About Mentoring

Partnering with students to reach their potential.

Student Sponsor Partners addresses the high school dropout crisis in New York City by providing low-income students with a high school education. All SSP® students are paired with sponsors who offer financial support and mentors who offer one-to-one mentoring, thus making a meaningful impact on their lives.

Sponsors and mentors are the backbone of Student Sponsor Partners’ success. Through financial support and one-to-one mentoring, sponsors and mentors directly impact the lives of under-served students in New York City.

How can I support an SSP student?

There are a number of ways to support an SSP student, including providing mentor support and encouragement through the four years of high school. Whichever way you choose to get involved, you are forever changing the life of an low-income New York City student:

Mentor

Mentors donate their time to supporting and encouraging an SSP student. Mentors are asked to meet with their student 3-6 times a year, and maintain monthly contact by phone or email. Mentors and students can attend SSP-organized events throughout the year or they may meet with students on their own—the commitment is flexible. Mentors are paired with sponsors who will pay some or all of the tuition for the student, but any mentor contributions are greatly appreciated and are applied directly to fund their student’s tuition.

Sponsor + Mentor

Mentors may, at any point, choose to start partially or fully sponsoring their student’s education in addition to their generous donation of time.

Sponsor/Mentor support is growing

In 1986, SSP started with 45 sponsors and mentors supporting 45 students. Now, over 2,000 sponsors and mentors support SSP students throughout high school.