News
September 28, 2018M&T Bank Invests in Effort to Recruit and Support Mentors
M&T Bank has provided a $2,500 donation for Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar’s 2018-2019 mentoring program, making the company one of the lead local supporters.
The grant will provide key resources to aid Sponsor-A-Scholar in its efforts to support mentors and students with monthly events and ongoing training on critical topics related to college access and youth development.
Robin Christenson, executive director of Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar said: “We are thrilled to have M&T Bank take a leadership role in funding a vital part of our college success programming. Mentors are at the very heart of our Scholars’ success, and I am inspired by M&T’s increased investment in our students’ futures.”
Beth Beshaw, Albany market president of M&T Bank said: “Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar’s mission of inspiring and empowering local youth is one M&T Bank is proud to support, particularly because it helps those that historically have been underserved and overlooked”
With this gift, M&T Bank has provided a total of $18,750 in support for the Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar since 2010.
To kick off the year’s activities and recruit new mentors, Sponsor-A-Scholar hosted three events during the week of September 24. Events took place at Troy’s Innovation Garage, Schenectady’s Great Flats Brewing and Albany’s Opalka Gallery.
The events also aimed to raise awareness about the need for mentors to aid Scholars enrolled in college access and success programs. Sponsor-A-Scholar is currently seeking 40 mentors to work with college-bound Scholars across the urban public high schools in Albany, Schenectady and Troy. Mentors are carefully screened, trained and supported throughout their multi-year commitment to their student.
Sponsor-A-Scholar is the only mentoring organization in the region that is a part of the National Quality Mentoring System.
