Teen Mentorship Program

Building Community For Adopted Teens
Registration is now open for the 2024-2025 Mentorship year! Families are able to join per semester or per year.
Fall semester begins in September, and runs through January, the Spring semester starts in February and runs through June.

Spence-Chapin’s NYC Teen Mentorship Program was founded in 2005 and is open to adopted people of high school age, 14-18 years old at the start of their participation year/semester.

For more information, please contact [email protected].

Founded in 2005, the adoptee-led NYC Teen Mentorship Program welcomes adoptees 13-18 years old to join in monthly events throughout New York City from September to June. This program functions as a group mentoring program connecting young adoptees with adult adoptee mentors 25+, creating spaces for fun activities and thoughtful conversations, all while creating new friendships and community. Discussion-based days center around the adoptee experience, identity formation, how to talk about difficult topics and how adoptees navigate new spaces as we get older. Registration is offered to families per semester, or per year.

FACILITATOR

Jessica M. Luciere

Jessica was born in Bogota, Colombia and grew up on Long Island, NY. Jessica is a wife and mother to two young children. Currently, the Associate Director of the Family & Community Support Department at Spence-Chapin, Jessica creates and oversees all community programming that supports adopted people and their families. Jessica was one of the founding Mentors in the NYC Teen Mentorship program which began in 2005, she now facilitates the program. As an Adoptee Advocate, Jessica has worked in adoptee spaces for over 20 creating programming that uplifts and centers the adoptee voice & experience.

Jessica casualphoto

Meet our Mentors

Our Mentors are all Adoptees themselves!

They volunteer as Mentors because they understand the importance of having Adoptee-centered spaces and creating positive role models for young Adoptees.

Every year, we welcome new faces into our group, and this year is no different! Some Mentors return year after year because this program has made such an impact on them.

Our Mentors are passionate about the work they do in creating open spaces for our adoptive community to connect and learn from one another.

GET TO KNOW OUR MENTORS!

Ross

Ross

  • Born in Colombia
  • 1st year as Mentor
  • Loves music, figure skating and ice hockey
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Sydney

  • Born in China
  • Mentor for 4 years
  • Loves singing and writing songs
Cristina S

Cristina

  • Born in Colombia
  • 1st year as a Mentor
  • Loves connecting with adoptees and traveling
Colby

Colby

  • Born in China
  • Mentor for 2 years
  • Loves art and creating music
Ruby

Ruby

  • Born in Cambodia
  • Mentor for 3 years
  • Loves to take photos and drink boba
Cristina F

Cristina

  • Born in Colombia
  • 1st year as a Mentor
  • Loves art, works as a teaching artist
     
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Luke

  • Born in Colombia
  • Mentor for 4 years
  • Luke participates in both the Jr. & Teen Mentorship Programs
  • Loves Star Wars & swimming
Halle

Halle

  • Born in China
  • Mentor for 3 years, former mentee when she was in H.S.
  • Halle participates in both the Jr & Teen Mentorship Programs
  • Loves connecting with other adoptees
Jacqueline

Jacqueline

  • Born in China
  • Mentor for 2 years
  • Loves writing, vintage shopping and ceramics
Mentorship Images circles4

Doreen

  • Born in New York
  • Mentor for over 10 years
  • Loves to travel, and connecting with other adoptees
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Liz

  • Born in New York
  • Mentor for over 5 years
  • Loves fitness and fashion
Yuriy

Yuriy

  • Born in Russia
  • Mentor for 3 years
  • Loves hiking, traveling and the arts

Parent Groups

Understanding the importance of community, adoptive parents are invited to participate in a separate monthly group. Topics include talking about adoptionadvocating for your child and navigating birth family searchParents whose children participate in the mentorship program are automatically enrolled. If your child is between the ages of 11 and 18 but is not participating in the program, you are welcome to join us. 

Contact us

To learn more email [email protected] or call 212-360-0276.

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