Pathways Mentoring
Pathways of Washington Heights and Inwood equips community leaders to mentor youth by building character, developing community leaders and preparing them for the future. We started the program in 2014 through a partnership with Inwood Academy for Leadership.
Interest Form
Interested in becoming a mentor? Want more information? We are looking for adults who care about young people and are committed to the Washington Heights-Inwood community to mentor 12-18 year olds in our community. If that sounds like something you might be interested in, fill out the form and we will be in touch!
Follow Pathways
Here is video from one of our mentor/mentee pairs sharing their experience from 2017-2018.
The executive director of Inwood Academy of Leadership speaking to students and parents about the value of mentoring through Pathways.
A Recent Pathways Story:
The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly been a season of hardship for all of us, including our Pathways mentors and mentees. Our young people have been dealing with challenges such as isolation, sickness and death in their families, loss of income, and educational challenges. Brad and Mike’s mentor-mentee journey began in September 2018 at the Inwood Academy for Leadership High School. Through the challenges of getting to know and trust one another they have developed a close relationship. Mike shares what he has come to appreciate about Brad, saying, “My relationship with Brad has been an encouragement to me because he is a positive person. So that gives me hope there’s still positive people out in the world, and that not everyone is bad. He’s cool. I can just talk to him and he gives me advice. For example, when I have a problem at home, he talks me through it.” Mike speaks about his goals, “I want to go to college and get a job. I am interested in being a music producer, or an NFL player, or an actor. This summer I am doing the Uptown HUB program.”
When asked about Mike, Brad says, “Mike has been awesome to get to know and spend time with over the last couple years now. He’s a passionate guy, gets excited about things, he’s competitive, and that gives me energy because I tend to be pretty chill. He is very perceptive and pays attention and notices things about me or other people. Guys, especially young ones, don’t always have that reputation! But it shows he cares about people, and his focus isn’t just on himself. Pretty much from the beginning he would ask about me, my family, or Grace, my wife. And he is a communicator, a people-person. He wants to go into business, and I always thought he could be an ace at sales!”
Brad and Mike’s strong relationship has helped them to persevere in their mentorship journey throughout the challenges of COVID-19. Brad explained, “During the COVID-19 time we’ve video called on WhatsApp. We delivered Love Kitchen food to the food pantry participants. Also we walked Highbridge Park and got Starbucks drinks. Then most recently we went to the beach in New Jersey.” Our mentorship program has proven to be a source of growth and encouragement for friendships such as Brad and Mike’s.
