1,000 Dreams Fund (1DF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to fueling the dreams of talented young women in need, recently celebrated National Mentoring Day with the return of its women’s mentoring program, MentorHER, for a third year.
The initiative is in partnership with nonprofit and for-profit organizations, including title sponsor Colgate-Palmolive Company. MentorHER pairs individual women in college, graduate school and recent graduates, with professionals and executives for a one-hour, 1:1 mentorship session. 1DF will celebrate the program’s return with the theme “Women In Leadership”. It will provide students with additional mentoring opportunities through year-round workshops. There will also be an on-demand library of content on the 1,000 Dreams Fund website.
The benefits of a mentoring program
Mentoring programs have a positive impact on young people. According to The National Mentoring Partnership, those with mentors are 130 percent more likely to hold leadership positions. According to 1DF’s “State of the American Girl“™ research, 70 percent of young American women don’t have a mentor. It was with these figures in mind that 1DF created MentorHER. The organization’s aim is to accelerate growth in women’s success in school and beyond.
MentorHER pairs students with professionals across a variety of industries and at all levels—including CEOs. Matches are based on career goals and backgrounds. Since its launch in 2019, the program has generated over 500 hours of mentorship in collaboration with leading Fortune 100 companies, small businesses and nonprofits.
“1,000 Dreams Fund’s MentorHER Initiative is one of our most important programs. Without the right connections, many students lack access to life-changing mentors who can help accelerate their success in school and beyond,” said Christie Garton, founder and CEO of 1,000 Dreams Fund. “MentorHER provides access to mentors who actually hold the position or work in the industry in which the student aspires to work. Thanks to this well-matched pairing, our mentors can provide specific career advice and guidance to students when they need it most. We are excited to serve even more students in Year 3 with support from our amazing partners.”
In partnership with Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive, in continued partnership with 1DF, also recently provided support to 1DF’s MentorHER Virtual “Get Hired” Workshop. The workshop was for college women and recent graduates. It took place on September 30th and featured Colgate executives as guest speakers and panelists. 1DF will use the content captured during the event to launch a new, on-demand library of content under the MentorHER Initiative. It will be available to students for free on the 1,000 Dreams Fund website.
“Colgate is proud to continue our partnership with 1,000 Dreams Fund to reach even more young women through MentorHER. Through collaborations like this—and with the tremendous support of Colgate People—we are excited to inspire diverse young women to pursue careers in dentistry, dermatology, and veterinary science, areas so essential to our purpose and fundamental to the health of all communities,” said Paula Davis, Chief Communications Officer, Colgate-Palmolive.
Creating bright futures
Also in celebration of National Mentoring Day, MentorHER partner Kendra Scott is committing twenty percent of proceeds from national in-store and online sales of Kendra Scott’s Everlyne Friendship Bracelet to 1,000 Dreams Fund’s Project: Girls on the Rise. This program helps fund critical college visits and college-bound costs so young women with bright minds and bright futures can find their perfect school and thrive. Additionally, Kendra Scott’s “Gems“, a college campus ambassador program, supported the fundraiser with Kendra Gives Back codes and in-person events surrounding October 27th. Participating Gems leveraged co-branded promotional graphics to celebrate National Mentoring Day and ask their followers, friends and family to support the 1,000 Dreams Fund.
“Our wonderful 2021 Gems are committed to exemplifying our Kendra Scott core values and giving back in meaningful ways! Supporting MentorHER on National Mentoring Day aligns beautifully with our campus ambassador program as we aim to support the next generation of college-bound women starting their career journey, ” said Devin Carroll, Senior Regional Marketing Manager – East, Kendra Scott.
Mentoring program partners
The following companies are joining 1DF in their commitment to supporting MentorHER. 1DF will announce more companies and nonprofits in the coming months:
- Colgate-Palmolive (Title Sponsor), a caring, innovating growth company reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet through Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition products available in more than 200 countries.
- Kendra Scott, a lifestyle brand headquartered in Austin, TX, providing gemstone-inspired collections that include Fashion Jewelry, Fine Jewelry, Home Goods and Beauty.
- HARMAN International designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions and services supporting the Internet of Things.
The Fund, with support from its partners, aims to generate over 1,000 hours of mentorship service over the next year. To reach its goal, 1DF will be adding more partners to the MentorHER Initiative throughout the year. It will also be encouraging individual professionals to sign up. Professionals at all levels, including the C-Suite, may participate.
How to participate
Mentees: College and graduate-level students as well as recent graduates nationwide may apply. International students studying in the U.S. – even those who are in their home countries due to COVID-19 – can participate. To be connected with a professional in your desired industry, apply here.
Mentors: Corporations, small businesses and nonprofit organizations are invited to partner with 1DF in this extraordinary, high-impact, employee volunteer opportunity. Individual professionals with an interest in helping the next generation of female leaders are also encouraged to participate as well. Help change a life by signing up here or contact 1DF’s team for more information: programs@1000dreamsfund.org.
To learn more about 1DF’s MentorHER Initiative, visit: https://1000dreamsfund.org/programs/mentorher-initiative/
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