New York, NY (April 18, 2019) – Student Sponsor Partners (SSP), a nonprofit focused on educating at risk New York City students and supporting them through a comprehensive mentorship program, celebrated its 20th Annual Founder’s Dinner at The Pierre on Tuesday, April 16. The event raised a record-breaking $3.2M to impact low-income students across the city.
“As a young woman, I had the opportunity to realize my academic potential through the support of Student Sponsor Partners. Now, as Executive Director, it is my privilege to work with our community to ensure young students like me have a chance to succeed,” said Debra De Jesus-Vizzi, Executive Director of SSP. “Through the generosity of our sponsors, partners, and mentors, as well as our blossoming partnership with the NYPD, we are able to reach more students every year. Together, we are continuing SSP’s powerful legacy of fighting inequality and promoting greater opportunity for all students.”
Tuesday night’s celebration honored officers from the NYPD who serve as mentors in SSP’s program. Guest speakers included Lt. Michael Almonte of the NYPD (Brooklyn North), Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals, and Chris Miles, an alumnus of SSP and sports anchor for NBA TV and NBC Sports. The event was chaired by Dee and Kevin Conway (Clayton Dubilier & Rice, LLC) and Susan and Jimmy Dunne (Sandler O’Neill and Partners).
The partnership with the NYPD came to life when SSP’s Executive Director Debra De Jesus-Vizzi, one of the program’s first students, and Lt. Michael Almonte, an SSP mentor for nearly a decade, identified an opportunity for collaborative impact. Over the past year, more than 150 police officers have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to mentoring. Research confirms that quality mentoring relationships have positive effects on young people in a variety of personal, academic, and professional situations.
About Student Sponsor Partners (SSP):
SSP harnesses the power of quality education and mentorship to help low-income and academically average New York City students escape the cycle of poverty and reach their highest potential. Founded in 1986, SSP has financed and supported thousands of students through high school by pairing them with sponsors who fund their private high school tuition, mentors who provide guidance, and dedicated staff at partner schools across the city.
