Press

“If you would’ve told me all those years ago that I would have headed up this organization, I don’t think I would have believed it. But it really has been so useful to tell my story to the kids.”

– Debra De Jesus-Vizzi, Executive Director and SSP Alumna

Quick Facts

  • More than 1,000 students are enrolled in our programs every year. This includes scholarships to attend partner private high schools, mentorship, and college and career prep.
  • Students in our programs attend partner private high schools across the city. We recently expanded into all five boroughs through a partnership with Moore Catholic High School in Staten Island.
  • Our students are not the typical scholarship recipients because of their grades. Without our supportive community, these students would likely attend their zoned public high schools, which would not offer the care and attention they need to reach their highest potential.
  • All students accepted into our program come from low-income households ($10,000 per capita) and had average or below-average grades in middle school (70-85%).
  • Impact by the numbers:
    • 85% of our students graduate high school on time.
    • 92% of graduates go on to attend college.
    • $25 MM earned in aid, grants, and awards annually.
    • Mentors donate more than 8,880 hours every year.

In The News

BK Reader: BK Winner Tyler Drayton on What it Takes to Be ‘Mentor of the Year’ (9/20/22)

Harlem Community Newspapers: Queens Mentor Selected for Mentor of the Year Awards – p. 5 (9/24/21)

News12 The Bronx: Student Sponsor Partners launches programs to keep kids, mentors connected (4/16/2020)

New York Times: Letter to the editor: Re “Lockdown Holds Dangers for Vulnerable Women” (4/6/2020)

National Catholic Reporter: Nonprofit opens door to Catholic schools for NYC’s low-income students (12/9/19)

Currents News: Former Foster Becomes Exec of Catholic Education Sponsorship Program (9/26/19)

NYN Media: Patch Profiled How One Woman Ended Up Running The Nonprofit That Helped Her As A Teenager (8/20/19)

Patch: An NYC Nonprofit Saved Her from Poverty: Now This Runaway Runs It (8/18/19)

Bronx Times: Mentoring Program Helps Low-Income High School Students (8/14/19)

BronxNet: Student Sponsor Partners (7/10/19) 

Fox 5 Good Day NY: Mentorship And Education Program Impacts NYC Youth (6/20/19) 

Crain’s (Snaps): Student Outreach (5/26/19) 

News12 Bronx: Program Offers 300 Bronx Students Chance To Attend Free Private Schools (5/20/19)

Gotham Gazette: A Solution In New York City School Turnaround Is Simpler Than We Think (5/7/19)

NY Daily News: NYPD Cop Mentors, Coaches Teens; Inspires Others To Do The Same (4/29/19)

ABC 7: Twentieth Annual Founder’s Dinner (4/17/19)

Crain’s: The Real Scandal In College Admissions (4/2/19)

Inc: The Best Way to Make a Huge Impact as a Mentor (10/19/18)

Press Releases

CFO Announcement: Kathleen Berkery Brings over 30 Years of Executive Finance Experience to Support NYC Nonprofit’s Mission and Growth (1/22/22)

New Strategic Partnership: Education Nonprofit Extends Through Strategic Partnership With Staten Island Catholic High School (2/4/20)

Founder’s Dinner 2019: $3.15M Raised To Support At-Risk Students In New York City (4/18/19)

Contact

Patrick Lattin, Senior Manager of Communications & Marketing

plattin@sspnyc.org