Welcome to Uplift Mentoring Nurturing Hearts, Building Bonds: Where Social and Emotional Learning meets Inclusive Connections for Every Child's Bright Tomorrow At Uplift Mentoring NYC, we offer a unique and innovative mentoring program designed specifically for children with disabilities. Our program is run by a team of dedicated, compassionate teen mentors who have a passion for helping others. I created this startup program as someone with disabilities. We fully understand the challenges that children with disabilities face every day. We are committed to helping our mentees acquire important social and emotional skills, build confidence, and advocate for themselves. Our program creates a safe and supportive community where children with disabilities can thrive. Our 9 through 13 year old mentees, are paired with high school age mentors. For a minority of kids it gives them others to relate to as well as a person to look up to in a casual setting where they can feel comfortable and supported while learning positive social emotional skills. ​ Our volunteer mentors go through trainings in Social Emotional Learning, mentoring in general, mentoring children, adapting for individual children's needs, empathy (versus sympathy), and emotional sensitivity. Should a mentee need particular accommodations an additional training is scheduled for the mentor to learn about their mentee's disability, needed accommodations, and adapting the curriculum. Winner of GSGNY Gold Award 2023 For accessibility the program will be running primarily virtual. Mentees should be able to meet with their mentors once a week, virtually. It is very flexible. During the application process mentors and mentees both indicate what days are best for them so mentors will be matched with mentees available on the same days, and we decide from there what would be best for that pair. There are only two events scheduled in-person. The first being the meet and greet with the entire cohort. This is definitely not mandatory, but if the mentee is able to it is highly encouraged! Details are shared closer to dates upon acceptation into the program. Mentees Gain Social Emotional Skills Mentees will complete a curriculum of activities meant to build a growth and positivity mindset, with a focus on mindfulness, coping skills, self care, self esteem and focusing on things one can control rather than worrying about what is our of their control. Advocacy Skills Through meeting with their mentors, mentees will learn how to articulate how they're feeling, and ask for what they need. This is a life skill their mentors will support that will help them in school and beyond. A community of kids with similar struggles to lean on Having a chronic condition at any age can be an isolating feeling. Being apart of a cohort that includes other children with conditions we combat this isolated feeling helping mentees feel more positive. Support systems help one feel more understood A greater sense of self For our end of year project mentors will help mentees create a biography about their condition, how it affects them, how they are separate from their condition (ie “my condition does not define me”) and what they hope for in their future. Mentees will be learning how to view themselves in a positive light. Holistic Approach Compassion Uplift Mentoring was founded as a Gold Award Project, and we are proud to continue our mission of supporting children with disabilities. Advisors to the creation of our program include hospital Child Life Staff, Guidance Counselors, and Social Workers. Our unique program pairs mentees with teen Mentors to create powerful connections that foster growth, independence, and self-advocacy. As the founder, I bring my own experience with disabilities to the table, creating a space where everyone feels heard, seen, and valued.

< Back Ceyeanna Evelyn Mentor ​ ​

FAQs What are your fees? Our program is completely free! Who is Eligible to become a mentor? Anyone aged 14 to 19 can apply to be a mentor. Mentorship is not guaranteed based on application, and mentees. Who is Eligible to become a mentee? Anyone 9 to 13 years old with a chronic condition and/or disability can apply (parents can also apply for their children) to become a mentee How long is the program? Approximately 3 months. Can I get community service hours for participation? Yes! Should you need signatures or references we could set that up more specifically. Have your own question? We'll get back to you as soon as possible! Email Subject Your message Send Thanks for submitting!

GOALS Create a sense of community between youth who face similar issues​​ Inspire them to embrace life’s challenges, and let them know they are not alone in their struggles. Create lasting mentorships to help mentees through transitions Guidance & Inspiration Foster social emotional learning skills and coping strategies Being able to cope on their own, and personally advocate to help them get the Most out of Life Prior to the start of meetings with their mentor, mentees will be able to design what they want their typical mentor meetings to look like (whether that be having someone to vent with, ask advice about the high school process (typically for middle school aged mentees), help with homework, play a game, etc) so they can be matched with their ideal mentor. Mentors (who may be abled or disabled) will be trained prior to meeting with their mentees on common issues youth with conditions face, how to interact with younger children, and how to steer conversations more positively and productively to avoid self depreciation, and improve the mentee's sense of self. As a cumulative project for the end of this year's program, mentors will help mentees create a biography about their condition, how it affects them, how they are separate from their condition (ie “my condition does not define me”) and what they hope for in their future. Mentors can space this out however they see fit as long as it is done by the end of the program. Length will vary from pair to pair, and is not the most important part. Quality over quantity. A permission slip to be signed by parents (stating that any sharing will be for educational purposes) will be created as far as sharing mentee information (on social media, with schools, etc). Should any parents feel uncomfortable they will have the option of having their child's project shared anonymously (without name and/or picture), or not having it shared on socials at all. At the end mentors and mentees will also fill out a form about their experience so I can evaluate what they’ve personally gained. ​

< Back Shia Fernandes Mentor ​ ​

Uplift NEWS ROOM 5 Apps to help you keep your meds and symptoms organized How to find support groups ​ Learning Independence when at risk for medical episodes

Review Us Add Your Review Would you recommend us to your friends? Yes No Submit Thanks for submitting!

< Back Shamrina Lavonno Mentor ​ ​

< Back Flor Lopez Noriega Mentor ​ ​

< Back Tiffany Luis Mentor ​ ​

< Back Kayla Marie Gonzalez Founder/Administrator ​ ​