The 18th Annual MENTOR New York Conference, Mentoring Matters, took place on Friday, April 16, 2021, bringing together youth development professionals and leaders within the mentoring movement. In response to the current events in our nation—which pulled back layers of racism, inequity and injustice—educators and community-based nonprofit leaders gathered. They were equipped with tools to create and enhance a sustainable program structure, while helping to foster stronger connections within mentoring relationships.
Leading up to the Conference, there was a feature about it in Niagara Frontier Publications:
“’As a thought leader in the mentoring movement, Adelphi University knows the role mentoring can play in increasing equity through human connection, which is why its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion oversees the University’s Mentoring Program, and is also why it will be a community partner co-host for the Mentoring Matters Conference,’ said Chotsani Williams West [MA ’07], executive director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Adelphi. ‘This conference will address the dimensions of mentoring for diverse populations in educational spaces, a topic of great interest to mentoring leaders, school supervisors and those interested in starting mentoring programs or serving as mentors.'”
The conference also featured Laura Quiros, PhD, associate professor, who facilitated “Addressing Trauma Through Mentoring,” and Brooks Frederick, senior adjunct faculty, who facilitated “Beyond Cultural Humility: Soft Skills to Support Cross-Cultural Matches.”