Become a Mentor: America Needs You

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America Needs You fights for economic mobility for ambitious, first generation college students. We do this by providing transformative mentorship and intensive career development. Our flagship Fellows Program is a two-year, intensive mentoring and professional training program where first-generation students ("Fellows") are paired with young professional volunteers. We operate in California, Illinois, New Jersey and New York.

Mentor Coach Volunteers develop a one-on-one mentoring relationship with a low-income, first-generation college student (Fellow), working with them at professional development workshops to cultivate their strengths, interests, and passions into successful careers in business, STEM, and healthcare. Mentor Coaches prepare students for selective internships through a structured career development curriculum.

Benefits of Volunteering:
- Develop a one-on-one mentoring relationship with your Fellow and help them achieve their career ambitions
- Build your own personal network as you work closely with highly accomplished professionals from a variety of industries
- Gain access to exclusive professional development and social events
- Serve as a role model and resource for your class of Mentor Coach/Fellow pairs

As a Mentor Coach, you are matched one-on-one with an ambitious, first-generation college student and you have the opportunity to build a close mentoring relationship throughout the program. Specifically, Mentor Coaches help Fellows set and work towards professional goals, navigate the internship process, broaden their professional networks, and work through unforeseen challenges.

Mentor Coaches and Fellows alike identify the mentoring experience as a unique and extremely special part of the ANY program. Mentor Coaches also highlight the opportunity they've had, as part of the ANY volunteer community, to significantly expand their personal and professional networks.


Seeking Female Volunteers: Yes

Seeking Male Volunteers: Yes

Minimum Match Commitment (in months): 12 months or longer

Type of Mentoring: One-to-One, E-Mentoring

Youth Population Served: College/Post-secondary Student, First-Generation College, Low Income

Mentoring Program Goals: Career Exploration, Education/Academic Support, Friendship/Socialization, Job Placement/Performance

Ages of Youth Served: 18-24, Other