Thank you for your interest in the TEAK Mentor Program!  The next information sessions will take place in the spring of 2010.  Please RSVP for a session by emailing Dan Blednick at dblednick@teakfellowship.org.  All information sessions will be held at the TEAK Office (16 W. 22nd St. 3rd Floor) from 6:30pm – 7:30pm:

Please note that attendance at an informational meeting is required for you to be considered for a 2010 mentor match.

What is the TEAK Mentor Program?
The Mentor Program provides each TEAK Fellow with a volunteer adult Mentor who serves as a positive role model, listener, advocate, and friend. TEAK aims to level the playing field for these high-achieving, low-income students and give them tools and resources to compete and succeed. Often, TEAK Fellows are the children of immigrants and/or the first generation in their families to be on a college track. It is imperative that these students widen their network of support and be exposed to various adults who can provide perspectives on high school, college, and career paths. Mentors can be a catalyst for life-changing thinking, and an advocate for Fellows who are forging a new course for themselves and their families. In their Mentor, Fellows have a successful model as they themselves develop into leaders who will impact their academic, local, and global communities.

Fellows are matched with a Mentor in the early fall of their eighth grade. TEAK hopes to foster long-term and consistent relationships, therefore, we ask Mentors to commit to maintaining the mentorship with Fellows throughout high school. Based on the dynamics of each relationship and mutual interests, each Mentor-Fellow pair shares a multitude of distinctive experiences throughout the relationship. The basis of a friendship is that both parties are responsible for making it work. We expect that Mentors will become an important person in the lives of our Fellows, but they are not replacing or competing with parents or other positive adults in the lives of Fellows.

What is the timeline for getting involved as a TEAK Mentor?

• Information sessions are held each year in April and May.  Prospective Mentors are invited to attend and learn more about both The TEAK Fellowship and the Mentor Program.   Mentor applications will be distributed at these information sessions.
• Prospective Mentors who submit applications will be invited to attend a Visitors’ Day at the TEAK Summer Institute in July.   Prospective Mentors will have a chance to observe a class, speak with TEAK Fellows and participate in a few activities. 
• The final Mentor matches are made in late August, with the official “Matching Ceremony” taking place in late September.
• Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that all applicants will be matched with a TEAK Fellow.  Prospective Mentors who are not matched in the year in which they apply will be placed on top of the prospective Mentor list for the following year. 

What are the expectations of the Mentor?

• TEAK requires its Mentors to have completed college, in alignment with the organization's goal of higher education for its Fellows.
• TEAK suggests that each Mentor see his/her Fellow at least three times during the year and contact their Fellow at least once a month via email or phone.
• TEAK asks Mentors to commit to maintaining the relationship with their Fellow throughout high school.
• TEAK asks that Mentors incur the costs of any events or excursions that they choose to participate in with their Fellow.
• TEAK asks that Mentors obtain permission from parents for all outings.

What are the expectations of the Fellow?

• Open and consistent communication with his/her Mentor.
• Punctuality and politeness.
• Fellows should not expect or ask for gifts from their Mentors.
• Willingness to try new things.

What are the expectations of the Parent or Guardian?

• Parents must attend the first meeting between Mentors and Fellows (the Mentor-Fellow "Match"). The relationship cannot begin unless the parent approves the match.
• Parents must sanction all outings with the Mentor.
• TEAK asks that parents communicate with TEAK staff and the Mentor if there are any concerns regarding the relationship.

What are some common Mentor-Fellow activities?
A Mentor-Fellow activity does not have to be an expensive event. TEAK suggests that Mentors use their creativity, personal experiences, and shared interests with the Fellow to help them plan for the time together. TEAK also holds Mentor-Fellow events several times during the year to provide a venue for Mentors and Fellows to interact in larger groups.

Some examples of activities are:

If you have questions about or are interested in joining TEAK'S Mentor Program, please contact Dan Blednick at (212) 288-6678 x112.

View TEAK Mentor List

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