What is the Commitment?

Being a mentor in the Alray Scholars Program requires that you:

• Commit to working with one scholar for a minimum of one year
• Attend orientation and training session(s)
• Meet with your scholar once a month
• Maintain contact by connecting an additional 1-2 times in between meetings
• Listen and provide encouragement, direction, and support
• Empower your scholar to self-advocate within the academic environment
• Help set academic and career goals
• Check in with Alray staff and provide short progress reports 1-3 times/year

While we ask our mentors for an initial one-year commitment, we hope that you and your scholar will bond over the course of that year and that the relationship will continue until the scholar finishes their educational program. Many mentors and mentees build a bond that extends beyond the length of the program.

Alray staff are easily accessible and available to provide support to mentors at every step of the way. We provide regular check-ins throughout the year, as well as periodic group mentor meetings and training sessions. Mentors are encouraged to share their ideas and experiences to provide feedback for improving the program.

are there any criteria for mentors?

We’re always looking for volunteers to mentor future Alray scholars. Our most successful mentors are reliable adults who align with the following:

• Have some college experience
• Are dedicated to their scholar, whether that’s for one year or longer
• Are committed to the program’s policy of open communication, with staff and with their scholar
• Are proactive and skilled in problem solving
• Display empathy and are sensitive to the needs and diverse backgrounds of our scholars
• Have a passion for supporting adult students who are navigating the higher education landscape

If you’d like to make a real difference in the life of a student who is ready for a second chance at their degree, fill out our Mentor Application today. 

Alray Mentors & Mentees: In Their Own Words

Yaselis Gonzalez-Castillo, Mentee

“I was sitting at a dead-end job when it hit me: the only way out was to complete my education and land a job with a purpose. Thanks to Alray, I will be the first in my family to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree, and I’ll walk away as a member of the National Honors Society. It’s something I never thought I would accomplish. Alray gave me the opportunity to start over and finish what I felt was impossible. It pushes me, motivates me, and provides me with the support I need to battle the outside noise. Charita, my Alray mentor, is absolutely amazing. She’s taken the time to listen and push me when needed. When I feel like giving up, because things have just gotten too overwhelming, she stands strong and tall, and reminds me there is no time to sell myself short.”

Charita Parham, Mentor

“I serve as an Alray mentor because I know how life-changing education can be. This program helps individuals reach goals they may not otherwise reach. Alray is unique because we seek to establish relationships with our scholars, and we know the extra support and resources are more likely to keep them on track. As a former Alray Scholar, I found the mentoring component was a blessing at times when I needed an extra push. I always keep my own experience in mind when I am mentoring, because I want to be that for others who are working to achieve. I want to help them see that Alray is just the beginning—more opportunities are out there. They just have to seek them out and take full advantage. Alray is a tool for not only achieving short-term goals, such as college degrees, but also for changing long-term perspectives. We want to impact students who come through the program for the better, and for them, in turn, to impact their spheres of influence greatly.”

Jamel Williamson, Mentee

“I’ve known Jack, my Alray mentor, since he was the varsity coach at Charlestown and I played JV. Now that I’m part of Alray, it feels like we never skipped a beat. He’s somebody I already had a great rapport with. We already had the player/coach connection. I appreciate how he checks in to see how I’m doing—and he connects me with other people he’s helping, so he helps me build new relationships. I’m so fortunate to have the Alray scholarship to help me finish at Salem State this year. Alray is a tightknit group of people who have experience and are far ahead of me. The scholarship is definitely helpful, because it helps me pay for classes and I can focus on school. But they’re not just providing funds; they’re providing all kinds of resources. And the relationship stays with you. These people don’t just come into your life and leave.”

Jack O’Brien, Mentor

“When Alray first started, we talked about how we work really hard to get kids into college. But keeping them there is very difficult. There are all kinds of issues. A lot of little things can really add up. When kids fail, they realize, ‘I flunked out, I have all this debt… what do I do now? I’ve got to do a better job the second time.’ With Alray, the mentoring program is really key. The money is not enough. It’s really hard to get through the bureaucracy of school. You need to be able to tell someone, ‘Look, I’m really struggling.’ When you’re going through a hard time, you feel like you’re alone. We let kids know that other people got through this and you can too. In Alray, everyone helps each other. We lean on each other and ask: What can we do to help? It’s a team effort. And it’s a two-way street. You’re giving, but you’re getting back. It’s a great feeling to be there on graduation day”