Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Partnership Breakfast Showcases Transformation and Impact
The life-changing power of mentorship
At StreetWise Partners, we’re working to create the most diverse, empowered, and capable workforce for today and tomorrow — a mission that was on full display at breakfast through stories of transformation from former mentees.
We learned about Stephanie, who grew up in Brazil in a low-income family and was the first to learn English, the first to move to the US, and the first to attend college. She learned about StreetWise while she was supporting herself as a nanny and working her way through school. She graduated from the StreetWise Bridge program and now is a project coordinator with a communications degree and a certification in project management.
We also heard from Muhammad, who grew up in the Bronx and entered college during the pandemic. His social skills suffered and StreetWise and his relationship with his mentor not only helped him build his marketability, but it also helped him build the confidence to achieve his dreams. He is now a Customer Success Manager at Symphony.
And we listened to the moving story of Marianela, who came to the U.S. from Puerto Rico as a child. During her young adulthood, she felt defeated by a series of setbacks: a clerical error on a school scholarship, living alone on public assistance, struggling to make ends meet. She could pay rent but sacrificed buying groceries. She eventually found StreetWise and everything began to change for the better. Today she is the direct mail marketing manager at SingleCare.
“I came to StreetWise feeling lost. I was determined enough, I had the fight in me, I just didn’t know what to do with it. I needed direction. My mentor really did listen to me, and I felt her investment and care about helping me carve this path to the future.” said Marianela. “StreetWise really did open up a world of possibilities for me. Being in this program allowed me to realize the only limitations on me are the ones I put on myself. With everything I learned at StreetWise Partners, I have what I need, I have the tools, so you better believe I’m going to go get it!” Marianela joined us in person to share her personal input about the value an investment in StreetWise adds to a mentee’s life.”
By StreetWise Partners
With the biggest crowd of more than 400 people in our 27-year history, the StreetWise Annual Partnership Breakfast last Thursday was an incredible success! Investments in mentorship from our sponsors and donors totaled more than $425,000, which will be used to transform the lives of another 500 individuals in the coming year.
Attendees participated in two hands-on mentoring activities; leaving advice voice mail messages and resume feedback for some of the mentees in our StreetWise Bridge program. New people met each other, acquaintances reconnected, relationships and networks expanded, and the StreetWise ecosystem was further strengthened.
Across the board, attendees both new and familiar with the StreetWise community felt inspired to get involved: as donors, as corporate partners, as volunteers, and more.
Honoring the work of corporate partners and mentors
We recognized two incredible partners and sponsors for their commitment to engaging their employees as volunteers, hiring StreetWise alumni, and providing critical funding to fuel the StreetWise Partners mission. Both organizations were two of the first to sign The Opportunity Pledge in March 2023. Mizuho Americas received the Partnership Award, in recognition of their work with StreetWise the past two years, spanning mock interview, speed networking, coffee chat and workshop events since 2022. Their 115 volunteers have donated more than 304 volunteer hours and impacted the lives of 350 StreetWise mentees and job seekers. Michal Katz, Head of Investment & Corporate Banking at Mizuho Americas accepted the award on behalf of the company and said,
"Mizuho as a company is committed to economic equality for everyone in the workplace. We place high importance on developing talent and promoting a fair work culture. I cannot think of an organization that better aligns with these foundational values than StreetWise. StreetWise Partners is a place to build skills, find mentors and partners through networking, and create a professional path. We're fully committed to the organization's goals of providing clear services and support but more importantly, we hope and expect that those who come through the doors of StreetWise leave on a lifetime path of both personal and professional growth. We look forward to the continuing partnership and thank you for the recognition."
Additionally, Symphony received the Champion Award, in recognition of their work with StreetWise that began a year ago in spring 2023. In one short year they have worked more than 50 volunteer hours, impacting the lives of at least 70 StreetWise mentees and job seekers through workshops, coaching sessions, dedicated focus groups, coffee chats and mock interviews. Ben Chnerlich, President and CFO at Symphony, accepted the award on behalf of the company and stated,
"I'm so proud of what StreetWise has become. The organization and impact are absolutely incredible. I'm very proud of my Symphony colleagues and how they've embraced StreetWise in our organization. They've taken StreetWise on and made it part of our DNA and how we think about giving back and giving people opportunities. There are so many thousands of people that are dealing with real problems day in and day out, and its organizations like StreetWise that go out and make a real impact. It's all the people in this room, all the mentors, all the companies that support StreetWise that truly help people create a different path for their life. We're thrilled about the work coming up with StreetWise this year. We have interns coming in, we have new hires coming in and it's going to be a big part of what we do as a company. Symphony is really excited to accept this award and we thank StreetWise for acknowledging us."
Thank you to everyone who was and continues to be a part of our success. This StreetWise community is the fuel that powers the success of our incredible mentees.
Our program works: 70% of graduates become fully employed, and average starting salaries increase from $10K to over $60K annually. But we cannot do the work without our community of mentors. We would love to have you join our community of volunteers to support the next generation of mentees and job seekers of the future. Sign up to learn more today.
