In honor of Women’s History Month, we want to thank our powerful female mentors who are constantly serving as role models to SSP students. Below is a story about how a mentor can turn into chosen family for students who don’t have all the resources they need to succeed.

Meet Kristine Liwag, an SSP mentor to sisters Lena and Lana and an aerospace and defense analyst at Morgan Stanley. She has been actively involved in her mentees’ lives for three years and counting. Initially, her reasoning for mentoring was to give back to the community. She recalled how much easier her life could’ve been if she had someone there to support her through challenges and promote her personal growth.

During her upbringing, finances were tight for her family due to having two working parents and three additional siblings. Kristine mentioned that, “Food was really more about sustenance, and we stuck to our traditional Filipino foods. Trying different restaurants and cuisines wasn’t really part of the budget. Once I had my own job and was financially independent, learning more about different cultures felt like such a luxury.” As a result, she thought that introducing Lena and Lana to different cultures and foods would be a great way to learn about the world. “They’re both foodies, and food is always a great bonding experiences, and that’s something we’ve embarked on,” Kristine said.

Kristine and her husband with mentees, Lena and Lana, trying a new cuisine.

At the beginning of her mentorship, Kristine told us that she was a little apprehensive that SSP’s mentoring program is for four years. However, after time, she said, “It was actually much easier than I thought. Especially this generation, you just text them they respond. FaceTime and Zoom make things easy.” For her, this was enough to really feed a relationship and give it growth.

Now, their bond is stronger than ever. The four-year mentorship commitment gave Kristine an ample amount of time to cultivate a trusted relationship between the girls and their mom. Kristine dove head first into this journey and came out as a role model for Lena and Lana, coupled with lifelong memories. From watching the Rockettes, to trying new cuisines, and attending their sweet sixteens, Kristine has been a steady rock in their life and someone they can rely on.

Kristine with Lena, Lana, and their mom at a Chinese restaurant.

Over time, Kristine has seen their confidence increase through different facets. She has had conversations with her mentees about the classes they want to take, struggles they are facing in school, how they talk to teachers, getting more extra credit, and really taking more ownership over their academic life. She’s also been a source of encouragement as they pursue their passion for tennis and have found greater success. Lena and Lana have played at multiple tournaments, including one upstate where Kristine was there to cheer them on. “Seeing their passion grow for something that a few years ago was really more of a side activity and now is really central to their life, it’s great to see.”

Lena and Lana, being sisters, share a unique bond with Kristine that sets their relationship apart. “I really appreciate her. We do a lot of stuff together. She’s really close to us, and our moms are close too. She even comes to our house,” Lena said. Lana said that she’s definitely going to stay in touch with Kristin in college, and even as she becomes an adult and pursues her own career.

When we asked Kristine about her advice for those hesitant about mentorship or eager to learn more, she emphasized the gratification for both oneself and the mentee. “When you’re working with high school students, you’re still there before they’ve chosen a life path. You can really have an impact on where they go and how they think about their future. Is college the right answer for them? Which career? How do they think about the rest of their life,” she said.

Become a sponsor by clicking here to make a gift for the incoming Class of 2027 today. We’re always looking for mentors to support our students as well, so if you or someone you know is interested, click here to learn more about becoming a mentor and get started.

Kristine and Lana at the Wicked musical for SSP mentors and mentees.

Lena and Lana’s sweet sixteen, celebrating alongside Kristine and her husband.

A family affair — Kristine, Lana, Lena, grandma, and mom at the Rockettes.

A special thank you to Jamal Crawford for sharing the inspiring story of SSP alumnus Chris Miles, reflecting on his remarkable journey from the Bronx to becoming an NBA TV sports anchor. The support provided by SSP played a pivotal role in Chris’s educational growth and mentorship, ultimately propelling him toward his successful career in NBA broadcasting. Chris’s mentor, Jimmy Dunne, provided guidance and support throughout his time at Rice High School, serving as both a role model and trusted friend.

SSP stands committed to offering one-on-one mentorship and scholarships to students in underserved areas of New York City. Assist our mission alongside Jamal Crawford by donating to sspnyc.org/assist. Every donation helps expose students to new opportunities, just as it did for Chris. Click the photo below to watch the full video or visit this link.

About SSP alumnus Chris Miles: With more than 15 years of experience as a sports anchor, reporter, and host, Chris has covered almost every major sporting event, including the Final Four, College Football National Championship, and multiple Super Bowls. Chris has worked in seven different markets and has covered the full gamut of sports from Nascar to the PGA and (his personal favorites) the NBA & MLB. Currently he works in Atlanta as a host & play-by-play expert for NBA TV.

SSP Day at Barclays was such a success! It was an absolute hit among our entire community — students, mentors, sponsors, and partners. SSP was honored to organize such a special event to celebrate our students’ hard work. From the high-five tunnel and game ball delivery to the raffle prize, catered food, and great company, it was a memorable day. The generous support provided by our donors enables events such as this to become a reality for our students.

Notable highlights from the event included:

– Students participating in the high five tunnel

– Mentor-mentee pair Brent and Jahmarley delivering the game ball

– Special shoutout to Gabe from Nazareth Regional High School for winning the raffle and walking away with a signed basketball by Cam Thomas!

We extend our deepest gratitude to Global Infrastructure Partners for being a lead sponsor of SSP Day at Barclays! Your support enables us to organize events of this nature, fostering a strong sense of community among mentors and mentees within the SSP network.

Make sure to follow @sspnewyork on Instagram to see more highlights from the event and relive the excitement!

Good Morning America recently surprised the Cardinal Hayes High School football team with new additions for their program. As part of GMA’s “Ray of Sunshine” segment, Michael Strahan visited the school to commemorate the team’s historic win in the New York State Catholic High School Championship. SSP student and team member, Jayden – one of nine SSP students on the team – also received a special announcement from Strahan himself: an offer to play football at Syracuse University!

Additionally, Riddell and Nike came through big for the students with new equipment worth more than $30,000 and new cleats for every player. The New York Giants gifted the players with pre-season tickets and Bank of America generously gifted $50,000 to support the team.

We’re incredibly proud of these students, and it’s heartwarming to see their hard work recognized on and off the field. Watch the full segment here: https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Living/high-school-football-team-beat-odds-gets-deserving/story?id=107290458

Student Sponsor Partners is honored to announce a new scholarship fund in memory of John Chalsty. The John Chalsty Scholarship Fund will honor the profound impact John had on the world through his work as a business leader, humanitarian, and former Chairman and CEO of Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc. He is widely known as an internationalist with strong connections in the corporate and philanthropic communities with his endeavors reaching beyond his professional responsibilities.

Through this fund honoring his rich legacy, John will continue to serve as a role model for future generations of SSP students for his exemplary leadership skills and care for the people around him. Investing in education for the betterment of society runs in the family. John’s wife, Jill Chalsty, founded Overcoming Obstacles to provide free life skills curriculum materials to educators worldwide.

Jill Chalsty has generously gifted to the fund in support of five SSP students for the next four years. We look forward to welcoming these five students in September of 2024 as the cohort of John Chalsty Scholars. Through this new fund, SSP is excited to be able to provide more scholarships to students in the New York City area.

About John Chalsty:

John Chalsty was invited by South Africa President Nelson Mandela to join him and a small group of business leaders as he returned for the first time to Robben Island after becoming President of South Africa (see picture above). John served in distinguished positions with the New York Stock Exchange, the City of New York, Community for Education Foundation, Lincoln Center Theater, American Ballet Theater, New York Philharmonic, Harvard Business School, Columbia University, and much more.

All Hallows High School senior Marcus talked about his musical ambitions and how SSP has supported his endeavors through mentorship and sponsorship. He is performing the national anthem with his band at Yankee Stadium for the second time in April. A true star in the making.

“If SSP didn’t help me, I don’t think I would be thinking about colleges right now, like I am doing now,” Marcus said. “I’d be probably in a public school just not thinking about colleges and majoring in something and getting a degree.”

Marcus’s mentor, Vishal Anand, graciously hopped on a Zoom call from India to share how proud he is of Marcus’s academic and musical career. We even got to hear from Marcus’s sponsor, Andrew Kluft, who discussed how much he has transformed throughout these past four years of high school. Vishal and Andrew have a front-row seat to Marcus’s successes and are proud advocates of his journey.

Marcus is a founding member of the All Hallows Modern Band and has performed for The Education Through Music Gala, as well as Josh Groban’s Find Your Light Foundation Gala.

So be on the lookout for Marcus … at Yankee Stadium and beyond! We’re proud of the bright future we’ve played a part in creating for another young person.

Watch the News 12 feature here: https://bronx.news12.com/exclusive-all-hallows-hs-senior-speaks-on-student-sponsor-partners-program

SSP Alumnus, John P. Dessereau (’02) and his mentor, Brant Brooks, reunited at the The Bronx Brewery event on Friday, January 19, in support of John’s artwork. Their long-lasting relationship is a testament to the power of building and maintaining a strong connection that lasts beyond the high school years!

In collaboration with The Bronx Brewery, John had his unique artwork featured on their cans in honor of the brewery’s inaugural Y-Series of the year. John’s work combines acrylics, watercolors, and digital art to showcase the vibrant cityscapes of New York City. A testament to his success in the creative industry, John is recognized by The Society of Illustrators, 3×3 Magazine Communication Arts, and is in the permanent collections of Spike Lee and The Queens Library in New York.

We are so grateful to John for choosing SSP as the community partner for the event, where a portion of the profits will directly support SSP’s programs. A true full-circle moment for John, SSP Class of 2002!

It is truly inspiring to see Brant show up and support John’s passions after all of these years. This is what mentorship is all about.

In honor of National Mentoring Month, we are sharing some past interviews with current and former SSP mentors. They share their journeys through mentorship and how they’ve helped to make an impact on a student’s life. From freshman year to senior year of high school, SSP mentors see their mentees flourish right before their eyes.

Are you interested in becoming a mentor yourself? Read below to learn more about the mentorship experience of Malabika, Jeanette, and Lora.

What does it mean to be a SSP mentor?

Malabika: “SSP is an amazing way to make a real impact in someone’s life at a very critical time when they may be needing support and a great way to broaden a young person’s world.”

Lora: “Xitlali was my first mentee, and she graduated in 2020, which means I began her mentorship in the fall of 2016. When she was younger, in sophomore and junior year, my mentoring was more about her academics as she was struggling in specific classes. I suggested getting more help at school by talking to teachers and reaching out to her guidance counselor. I would also sometimes call the counselor myself to see what was happening. Besides academics, I also gave her advice on social things like school dances. When she was on the fence about going, I told her to go for an hour to give it a chance and if you don’t like it, you can always leave. I reminded her that she could miss out on lots of interesting and fun opportunities to meet people.”

Why did you become a SSP mentor?

Malabika: “I learned about SSP through Morgan Stanley, where I work. Morgan Stanley has always had senior leaders in Equities who have been very involved both in donating and in mentoring, so I first learned about SSP through an informational session at work, and I thought it would be a great way to give back as a young professional.”

What are some ways that you can help a student as a mentor?

Jeanette: “My mentee has a hard time with projects and meeting deadlines, so we work on time management. Ways we do this include making spreadsheets to organize workload and setting alerts on the phone. Initially, she was uncomfortable talking with the teachers, so I explained and motivated her to change her mindset and show those people at school that she cares. She has followed my advice and since then has received positive feedback from the school.”

Lora: “First off, it was amazing to see the difference in how my mentee, Xitali, transformed over those four years. The college process was challenging in its own ways during the pandemic. I would mentor over the phone and zoom to talk about the cost benefit analysis of pursuing a bachelor’s degree versus a specific concentration. Xitali wanted to pursue nursing, so we looked at great university names against more cost-efficient ones that would take her directly into a nursing program. When she got into nursing school, we would talk about how to continue with her academic success and the ways to help pay for the program.”

How do you stay connected with your mentee?

Jeanette: “We met in person for the first time at the Botanical Gardens in New York. It was awesome to meet her face-to-face as well as meeting her mom. Meeting in person was more personable and made it easier to form a connection. Her mom works a lot and doesn’t always have the time to focus on Jade’s schoolwork, so that’s where I come into play.“

Malabika: “I was really excited to meet my mentee, Stephanie, and see how I could help broaden her experiences. I loved how open she was to try new things. I was also fairly sheltered growing up, so there were a lot of experiences I’d never had before graduating college. It was exciting for me as well to relive some things with her.”

What fulfillment have you gained, and what does mentorship mean to you? 

Lora: “I’ve been fulfilled knowing that my mentee has a sounding board if she wants to talk about something that’s tricky and she doesn’t want to go to her parents. It helps to have somebody that’s been through experiences their family hasn’t.” Together we tried a hip-hop dance class, a cooking class at Eataly, a Japanese restaurants and other restaurants. Many times, either her sister or father would join us since she was very young and we wanted to make sure she could get home safe, so I got to get to know her family fairly well too.”

We are honored to work with amazing partners like Google to bring unique experiences to life for SSP students. Recently, students attended a hands-on event hosted by Google where they got to learn how to create their own beats using Python. A huge congratulations to Jhanley (Cardinal Hayes, Class of 2027) for winning the competition with his beat!

But the fun didn’t stop there! Students got a special performance from American rapper Supernatural best known for his “on-the-spot” freestyle and battle rap abilities. DJ Siege played the beats alongside Supernatural.

Google Digital Creator Aaron Wade showed students the exciting opportunities at the intersection of technology and music. Thank you to Google and Break Beat Code for making this possible and for teaching students to code through beat making and music creation. We are excited to share more STEM learning events in 2024 for SSP students!

We connected with long-time mentor, Malabika Biswas, Managing Director at Morgan Stanley in the Institutional Equity Division. She most recently mentored Stephanie, an SSP Alumna from the Class of 2021. Even though Stephanie has graduated high school, Malabika has continued to build a strong relationship to witness her successes and provide guidance along the way. Below is a conversation about her involvement with SSP and rewarding experience as a mentor since 2009.

Stephanie (left) with Malabika (right) after catching up in New York City. Stephanie currently attends college at NYU.

How did you learn about SSP and what sealed the deal for you to become involved?

Malabika: I learned about SSP through Morgan Stanley where I work. Morgan Stanley has always had senior leaders in Equities who have been very involved, both in donating and in mentoring. I first learned about SSP through an informational session at work and I thought it would be a great way to give back as a young professional.

How long have you been a part of Student Sponsor Partners, and in what all ways have you contributed to the organization? Have you been involved beyond mentorship?

Malabika: Through SSP, I’ve had two mentees. I first got involved around 2009-2010 with my first mentee. A year or two after she graduated high school, I thought it would be great to have a new mentee and give back further. I believe that was the fall of 2016, and that’s when I met Stephanie.

Can you talk a little bit about your experience with your mentee? How have you seen Stephanie flourish and grow since you’ve been her mentor? 

Malabika: I was really excited to meet Stephanie and see how I could help broaden her experiences and I loved how open she was to trying new things. I was also fairly sheltered growing up and there were a lot of experiences I’d never had before graduating college, so it was exciting for me as well to relive some things with her. Together, we tried a hip hop dance class, a cooking class at Eataly, a Japanese restaurants, and other restaurants. Many times, either her sister or father would join us since she was very young and we wanted to make sure she could get home safe, so I got to get to know her family fairly well too.

How was the college prep process, and how have you supported Stephanie to support her academic achievements? 

Malabika: Stephanie is amazing, she has an innate drive and an interest in learning and bettering herself. I only helped her if she needed a letter of recommendation, wanted me to re-read something she had written or had questions about the corporate or finance world where I work. Stephanie’s college prep and strong work ethic came from her.

Can you talk about your continued relationship with your mentee? How often do you stay in touch…? 

Malabika: Stephanie has done an amazing job staying in touch with me through all the transitions that we’ve both been through over the past 7 years. Initially when I met her I didn’t have children and now I’m a mom of 2 and she’s been very patient with me through this process as well. We try to stay in touch every 4 months or so now. I’m so very excited about her future!

What fulfillment have you gained and what does mentorship mean to you? 

Malabika: SSP is an amazing way to make a real impact in someone’s life at a very critical time when they may be needing support. It is a great way to broaden a young person’s world.

What would you say to people who want to get involved with SSP or aren’t aware of SSP? 

Malabika: Try and get involved. If you are financially able and don’t have time, you can donate, and if you are able to give time and not money, mentor. I think giving the time is overall more impactful as you can make a real difference.

Can you tell us about a specific story from your mentorship experience that stands out?

Malabika: Honestly, it was so exciting to create new experiences for Stephanie when she was in high school like the hip hop and cooking class, and to experience new cuisines like sushi, was awesome. She would think of what she may want to do and we’d go for it once a quarter.