TRUE Mentors Provide Positive Outreach to Hoboken’s Young People

It’s easy to underestimate one’s own impact on the lives of others.

In a world where we’re increasingly “connected” via various media, it’s ironically easy to feel alone—as if no one is paying any attention to what you have to say.

Yet there are many in our community who desperately need to hear a voice of encouragement, or get a helping hand from someone who wants to make a positive impact. The face-to-face interaction of mentoring provides the perfect scenario.

“Through genuine relationships between mentors and mentees, TRUE Mentors hopes to accomplish the unearthing of the potential in children aged 7-17,” says Chey Banks, a mentor and real estate sales agent at Keller Williams (100 Washington Street).

TRUE Mentors (True Relationships Unearth Excellence) was inspired by Pastor Chris High from Hoboken Grace Community Church after volunteering at an after school program in Hoboken. Susi Tully Milligan then launched TRUE Mentors in January 2011 with the help of many volunteers throughout the city.

“I think if many of us reflect back on our childhood, we could recall a relationship with an adult–a teacher, a coach, perhaps a mentor, that ultimately affected the trajectory of our lives, and as a mentor I personally hope to have a positive long-term affect on my mentee’s life,” says Banks.

Mentors come from a variety of backgrounds, but what they have in common is a willingness to do what they can to positively impact the lives of children in our areas. TRUE Mentors is designed around the philosophy that goodness can be organic—when people take the time to nurture and support positivity and interaction with our younger people, it will continue to flourish.

While the mentoring program requires a firm one-year commitment from participants, there are many ways to contribute to the TRUE Mentors mission. “If you want to get involved, but are unable to commit the time as a mentor, TRUE Mentors is also in need of volunteers for events held throughout the year and classes which are held weekly,” says Banks.

Meanwhile, Keller Williams City Life Realty is holding a Masquerade Ball on Friday March 27 at the Maritime Parc in Jersey City, as a fundraising initiative for TRUE Mentors. Stay tuned to hMAG.com for further details on what should be a phenomenal event at an amazing venue—all to raise funds and awareness for a fantastic program.

Maritime Parc