Mentor A Promise

  Photo Credit: RomanR - stock.adobe.com The 2025-2026 school year begins on Thursday, September 4, 2025. Even for the more fortunate members of our fair city, back-to-school can be a hectic time, complete with last-minute purchases of pencils, pens, notebooks and other school supplies as well as new outfits that will fit your growing children. However, these things are luxuries some New Yorkers simply can’t afford, potentially jeopardizing their academic performance. For those who would like to help, this blog post will discuss how you can help homeless New York City students prepare for the new school year.  How Important Are School Supplies for Homeless New York City Students?  It may sound like a cliché, but having a solid educational foundation can open many doors for people of all backgrounds, not just the privileged. We might not think about pencils, notebooks and other school supplies as such, but they are crucial to academic success. Possessing the necessary scho...

Photo Credit: Marcus Jones - stock.adobe.com The President of the United States’ federalization of the police force of Washington, D.C. has been a startling development in the eyes of many. In particular, we have been shocked and horrified by the glee with which these forces have torn down encampments of homeless people. While we might be inclined toward partisanship, we must remember that members of both parties have engaged in this wanton destruction. This blog post will discuss why you should never dismantle an encampment of homeless New Yorkers, the effects on this vulnerable population and how you may prevent future incidents.   Why Is It Bad To Destroy Homeless Encampments in New York?  While some out there may consider these encampments “unsightly,” these sites are, to our most vulnerable populations, the only sources of community and safety in an otherwise hostile environment. If you have a reliable neighbor, you can appreciate the feeling. Even without actual upr...

  Photo Credit: kieferpix - stock.adobe.com While we at Mentor A Promise endeavor for political neutrality, we must acknowledge that even though every New York politician vows to combat homelessness, the crisis has only worsened. This collective failing has eroded trust between those experiencing homelessness and city officials. This blog post will discuss whether homeless New Yorkers should trust the city government, how trust can be rebuilt and the benefits of proactive measures.  Why Don’t Homeless New Yorkers Trust the City Government?  We would like to acknowledge the vast amount of financial and human capital dedicated to curbing homelessness. In January of this year, Mayor Eric Adams announced $650 million in new allocations to reduce street homelessness and mental illness. The Homelessness Prevention Administration works alongside the Department of Homeless Services, NYCHA and numerous other private and public agencies to turn the proverbial tide. And yet, as Sha...

  Photo Credit: Syda Productions - stock.adobe.com If you are anything like the good folks at Mentor A Promise and its network of partner organizations - and we suspect you are, constant reader - you are concerned with the plight of your fellow New Yorkers, especially those experiencing homelessness. One kind act you may perform is helping to provide for their needs. However, you may wish to contribute in a non-pecuniary fashion - say, a care package. This blog post will discuss what you should include in a care package for homeless New Yorkers as well as the message it sends to its recipient and the community at large.  Should I Give Care Packages To Homeless New Yorkers?  The short answer, of course, is an emphatic YES. Nonetheless, we want to stress that these care packages should be the products of genuine compassion and a desire to end suffering. You should not be performing these otherwise kind acts for money and notoriety - also known as “clout” - on social media p...

Photo Credit: FollowTheFlow - stock.adobe.com  To most outside observers, regaining safe, reliable housing seems like the end of the story. However, to continue to belabor this metaphor, this positive development is only the close of one chapter in a much longer narrative. Remaining healthy and housed is a neverending struggle. As such, many of those without the proper support network are at risk of returning to the streets and/or shelters. This blog post will discuss how often formerly unhoused New Yorkers relapse into homelessness, why this might happen and what can be done to prevent this.  Why Do New Yorkers Relapse Into Homelessness?  Homelessness, like many other chronic conditions, is akin to a disease, not a moral failing. Just as those struggling with alcoholism or drug addiction may relapse multiple times before treatment takes hold, homelessness is a cycle. This is especially true if the underlying traumas are not adequately addressed. As such, many of the same...