Volunteer Testimonials

“StreetWise offers young Wall Street professionals the opportunity to integrate a tremendously rewarding community experience into their weekly routines.  As a StreetWise mentor, I've been amazed at the impact that I've been able to have on the lives of my mentees, through just a few hours of personal time each week.  As my involvement in the Program has evolved, I've also been given the opportunity to participate on the Streetwise Leadership Council, enabling me to become involved with a flourishing non-profit organization not just as a volunteer, but also at the organizational level.” 

-Jeremy Duksin, Lehman Brothers 

"I specifically chose Streetwise because it offers an opportunity to immediately and directly give back to the New York City community.  Mentoring a young New Yorker allowed me to make an immediate impact for someone who is looking to better themselves. 

I am from New York City and grew up with many people that fit the profile of StreetWise's clients.  Many were talented but often didn't have even the most basic social underpinning that lead to a career as a professional.  Often they did not have a single person in their life that could serve as a role model.  StreetWise provides an opportunity to be that person. A very fulfilling moment came when my mentee enrolled in community college.  He told me the mentoring convinced him that a college degree will put him in a place for better jobs.  He said, 'Once I'm there (college) it's just a question of doing the work. And no one but myself can stop that.'" 

- Sunil Bhide, Credit Suisse 

"StreetWise offers a unique opportunity for mentees to have access to and build relationships with a diverse group of professionals (mentors).  Mentees are interviewed and selected based on prior accomplishments and future goals as well as demonstrating drive plus a commitment to better themselves.  This is a demanding 12-week curriculum but with hard work, each mentee is set up with the resources to succeed.  Mentees enhance not only their computer skills, but also their interpersonal skills through presentations, pitches, mock interviews, networking dinners, corporate visits and career fairs.  I formed an amazing bond with my mentee, whom I am still in touch with, as well as many of the other mentees in both programs that I participated in.  As a recruiter on Wall Street for the past 10 years, I was able to share my knowledge and utilize my expertise outside of my day to day job.  It has been incredibly rewarding to advise these groups of talented and potential young professionals as they begin their careers."

- Tamara Eden, Credit Suisse 

“Not everyone has equal access to opportunities for learning and advancing in their careers but everyone has the potential to induce changes (for the better) in his/her life.  I saw SWP as a vehicle that I could use to help facilitate this change.  I chose SWP over others because it is a highly efficient organization run by passionate individuals.” 

-Santosh Babu, Lehman Brothers