Each year, the New York Life Foundation’s Awards Program focuses on a different aspect of its Nurturing the Children initiative; this year, it is recognizing mentoring programs that offer young people sustained relationships with caring adults or peers who serve as positive role models.

“We are pleased to recognize these six organizations for their exceptional work,” said Sy Sternberg, chairman and chief executive officer, New York Life Insurance Company. “Each one of these nonprofits provides mentoring programs that offer young people a path toward a better future for themselves, their families and their community.”

“These nonprofits are making enormous changes in kids’ lives with limited funds and resources. Their programs help on both academic and social levels,” said Chris Park, president of the New York Life Foundation “The positive effect that these committed mentor volunteers have on their mentees is incredible. Mentors and mentees benefit from the relationships that get built through these programs.”

The Award winners are:

• Bronx: Urban Dove – HiRisers Program;
• Brooklyn: Girls for Gender Equity, Inc. – Sisters in Strength/Urban Leaders Program;
• Manhattan: Asian Professional Extension, Inc. – Middle School Mentoring Program;
• Queens: Youth at Risk – Warriors’ Way Program;
• Staten Island: New York Urban League – Youth Leadership Program; and
• Westchester County: CLUSTER Community Services – Study Buddy Program.

The Awards are presented annually to recognize programs that support one of the following categories within the Foundation’s Nurturing the Children initiative: Mentoring, Educational Enhancement and Safe Places to Learn and Grow. For each of the six nonprofits to receive the $25,000 in support, they must have an operating budget that does not exceed $5 million.

Thus far, the New York Life Foundation has committed more than $30 million to the Nurturing the Children initiative.

About The New York Life Foundation
New York Life Foundation is the major vehicle through which New York Life Insurance Company channels contributions to national and local nonprofit organizations. Through its Nurturing the Children initiative, the Foundation supports organizations, programs and services that target young people, particularly in the areas of mentoring, safe places to learn and grow, and educational enhancement opportunities. Since 1979, the New York Life Foundation has donated more than $100 million to national and local non-profit organizations. Please visit the Foundation’s Web site at www.newyorklifefoundation.org.