College Path Mentorship Program
New York Academy Educational Services’ free College Path Mentorship (CPM) Program aims to increase college attainment rates of students from low education-level and high poverty areas of New Jersey. CPM, by providing free and quality college preparation, strives for expanding these students’ access to education who are otherwise least likely to get college education.
Program Overview
The program offers quality, well-rounded educational experiences by equipping mentees with not only academic, but also social skills needed for college success. Strong academic support is offered to high school students by their college mentors who assist them weekly with essay writing, resume building, SAT/ACT test preparation, etc. Mentees in this project will also receive support to pursue or discover their career interests and aspirations, begin researching colleges to pursue their goals, and define themselves as college bound students.
Mission and Vision
The mission of the program is to identify, motivate, educate, and mentor socioeconomically disadvantaged high school students in order to increase their attainment and completion of four year colleges.
The vision of the College Path Mentorship Program is to eliminate visible and non-visible barriers to social justice through education.
Geographic Eligibility
High school students grades 10 through 12 from low-income households in Passaic, Bergen, and Essex Counties are currently eligible to apply.

College Path Mentorship Outcomes
CPM’s primary goal is for mentees to apply and be accepted into four-year colleges. CPM stands out from other college preparatory programs because mentees will not only become college-bound students, but also well-rounded adults with strengths in empathy, self-reflection, civic responsibility, and teamwork. We expect them to be able to do so through enhanced Academic Achievement, Social Capital Building, and Character & Moral Development.
Academic Achievement
- Increase academic success in high school,
- Prepare and be ready for college and careers,
- Gain mentorship skills to be a mentor after high school as a college student.
- Develop strong resumes and college essays.
Social Capital Building
- Assume a sense of social and civic responsibility,
- Develop awareness of community needs,
- Demonstrate an understanding of group dynamics and effective teamwork.
Character Development
- Exercise to think independently,
- Embrace collective consciousness with consultative decision-making,
- Learn to assess and criticize one’s own actions.
Every Student Deserves a Better Education and a Better Future
Main Components of the CPM
- Academic Studies (SAT/ACT Support and Tutoring)
- Book Reading & Discussions
- Group Activities
- Community Services (Volunteering)
- Boot Camp & Intensive College Readiness Preparation
Boot Camps at a Glance
- One on one mentoring
- Essay Writing & Editing
- Resume Writing & Editing
- Supplemental Essay Writing & Editing
- Preparing & Making College Applications
Target Audience
High school students grades 10 through 12 from low-income households in Passaic County are eligible to apply in the academic year 2021-22. However, the College Path Mentorship Program will expand in the following years to other counties such as Essex and Hudson. The students who are enrolled in free or reduced lunch programs in their schools are eligible to apply.
Holistic Support
CPM is created to support high school students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue their goals and provide them a well-designed mentorship, individualized instruction, resources, and networking opportunities and by accompanying them during their college application process to facilitate their admission to a high-rank four-year college and ease their transition to college life.
Group Mentorship
Mentors will conduct weekly/biweekly group meetings. 1 mentor will serve a group of 5 students. Mentors will not only execute the weekly/biweekly program and advise students, but will also be role models and inspiration to them. Mentors will help students complete tasks and goals set in the program. They will monitor each student’s college application process closely and provide guidance and support.
Apply to Become a College Path Mentee
Below are the places where we offer the CPM Program. Please contact our local coordinator at a location close to you.
Union Baptist Church Passaic
Contact:
Lu Holmes
Phone: 973-937-2083
Email: [email protected]
Address: 221 Myrtle Ave, Passaic, NJ 07055
Alaaka Association
Contact:
Zurfau Mohammed
Phone: 347-268-0880
Email: [email protected]
Address: 151 12th Ave Newark, NJ 07107
Seminary Baptist Church
Contact:
Dr. Rozetta Schaeffer
Phone: (201) 913-5059
Email: [email protected]
Address: 193 Haledon Ave Paterson, NJ 07522
Masjid Fallahee
Contact:
Musa Sannor
Phone: (973) 474-6143
Email: [email protected]
Address: 673 Clinton Ave, Newark, NJ 07108
Important Dates
SUPPORT COLLEGE PATH MENTORSHIP
As long as poverty, injustice & inequality persist, none of us can truly rest. It doesn’t take much to change a life. Get in touch today and start making the difference.
Please click the button below to become a mentor, download the application form,
fill out and email it to info @newyorkacademy.org.
PARTNERSHIP with Non-Profits
NYA is looking for non-profit organizations in Bergen, Passaic, and Essex Counties in New Jersey to partner with. NYA will offer College Path Mentorship Program for free to low-income students and we only expect our partner to provide a classroom for free.
Contact us
Our Current Partners
We are happy to be partnering with
- Baptist Seminary Church, Paterson
- Fallahee Masjid, Newark
- Union Baptist Church & United Passaic Organization, Passaic
- Alaaka Association, Newark