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Youth Mentorship in NYC: Where to Volunteer

Mentoring a young person in NYC is one of the most impactful ways to spend a few hours a week. With nearly a million students in NYC public schools, the city's mentorship programs are constantly recruiting — especially mentors who can support college and career readiness, tutor in math and reading, or just be a consistent adult in a kid's life. Whether you want to commit to an hour a week or plug into a one-time event, there's an NYC youth mentorship program for you. Below are eight standout organizations, with what they do and what your role looks like. Then drop your email on the Rally waitlist — this fall, you'll be able to coordinate weekly mentor shifts with friends and track your impact together.

organizations to volunteer with

1. iMentor

Citywide (NYC DOE high schools)

Mentor a high school student through college applications — combination of weekly emails and monthly in-person events. The gold-standard NYC mentorship program for working professionals and recent grads.

2. Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC

All five boroughs

Get matched with a 'Little' for 1:1 community-based mentoring. Two outings per month minimum.

3. Minds Matter NYC

Manhattan / Brooklyn

Mentor high-achieving low-income high schoolers through college admissions. Saturday programming.

4. ScriptEd

Citywide

Software engineers teach high schoolers to code during the school day. Great for tech workers and CS students.

5. Reading Partners NYC

Bronx, Brooklyn

One-on-one reading tutoring for elementary schoolers, 45 minutes a week during the school day.

6. Practice Makes Perfect

Brooklyn / Queens / Bronx

Summer mentorship matching college and high school students with younger learners.

7. PENCIL

Citywide NYC DOE schools

Career mentoring and Principal-for-a-Day type engagement with NYC public schools.

8. Beam Center

Brooklyn

Hands-on design and fabrication mentorship for NYC public school students. Maker-friendly mentors especially welcome.

coming fall 2025

find these on rally.

rally is a free iOS app that helps Gen Z NYC students discover volunteer events, sign up with friends, and track their impact — all in one place.

join the waitlist

how to get involved

pick an organization from the list above and head to their website to sign up directly. or, drop your email on the rally waitlist — this fall, you'll be able to find every event listed here in one app and invite your friends in a single tap.

keep exploring

city guide

all volunteer opportunities in New York

NYC

food banks

NYC

animal shelters

frequently asked questions

How long does it take to become a mentor in NYC?
Background checks plus orientation usually take 2–4 weeks. iMentor and BBBS NYC are the quickest to match.
Can college students mentor in NYC?
Yes — Minds Matter, Reading Partners, and ScriptEd all accept college-student mentors. Many require a one-academic-year commitment.
Are remote mentoring options available in NYC?
Yes — iMentor and CovEd both offer fully virtual mentor matches.