Our Mission
Only one in four college graduates with disabilities are working across the United States. Image Impact’s mission is to fight for equal employment access for college students with disabilities. We empower students to break through workforce barriers and open doors with our career readiness and mentoring programs.  ImageImpact.org is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in New York City. 

Why We Started the Mentoring 4 Impact Scholarship Program
We developed Mentoring 4 Impact pilots in 2018 in partnership with the City University of New York (CUNY) Office of Accessibility Services and CUNY LEADS (Linking Employment, Academics, and Disability Services).  This inclusive career readiness and structured mentoring program empowers college students with disabilities to confidently communicate their skills, refine their resumes, project a professional image, gain interview experience, and attain jobs and internships.  Weekly core, foundation, and elective courses, together with mentoring meetings take place online. Our 2020-21 scholarship program supports freshmen and sophomores in the LEADS program at CUNY Guttman Community College. Mentoring 4 Impact is scheduled to begin at CUNY John Jay College in Spring 2021.
 
What is a Mentor? A mentor is a trusted volunteer with professional and life experience who helps students to develop skills, competencies or goals. Mentors help students to grow professionally and become self-advocates. 
What are the benefits of becoming a Mentor?  Mentoring enables you to:

• Gain positive satisfaction from making a difference in someone else’s life.
• Demonstrate professionalism and a commitment to the professional growth of a student.
• Build and broaden support networks among professionals.

 
What are the Responsibilities of a Volunteer Mentor?

• Attend virtual Mentor Orientation and Disability Awareness training sessions (3 hours).
• Make a 6 month commitment to a student Mentee over two semesters.
• Meet virtually with a student Mentee (2-4 hours per month).
• Participate in virtual Mentor Roundtables to share successes and resources (1 hour per month).
• Take part in periodic mixer activities for Mentors and Mentees, schedule permitting.
• Attend virtual celebration ceremonies during the program year.
• Communicate as required with the Mentoring Coordinator and participate in program evaluation.
• Make the decision to stay in touch or not with a student Mentee after the program ends.

 
Next Steps – Application Deadline September 18, 2020!
Mentor selection is determined by an n our website and through virtual or phone interviews.  Participation in a background check and references are required. To get started, contact VP Human Resources Rachel Sacco at [email protected]. For program information, contact VP Education Ben Hoser at [email protected].
 
How Can You Make an Impact?
Our Mentoring 4 Impact program two year pilots were funded through the support of Focus for Health Foundation grants.  To find out how you, your company, or foundation can support our 2020-2021 programs through scholarship support or in-kind donations for public college students with disabilities, contact VP Development Stacey Kurylo at [email protected]. Visit our website www.imageimpact.org to securely donate online. 
 
What are CUNY LEADS Students Saying about Mentoring 4 Impact?

• “I enjoyed having a program which helps build confidence and also getting that one-on-one guidance from the mentor to help with specific problem areas of your professional life.”

 

• “What I liked most about the program is that each session is helpful for the professional world. I really needed help to work on my elevator pitch and during this program, I have gotten significantly better at it.”

 

• “The important interviewing points, networking details and guest speakers was what I liked most about Mentoring 4 Impact.”

 

• “Everyone involved was genuinely interested in seeing the students improve and wanted the best outcome for all students.”

 

• “I really liked the information packets with the accompanying PowerPoint. The mentors were also extremely nice and helpful.”