Annual Partnership Breakfast
May 8, 2025
Honoring
Program
Section 2
Moving Stories of Success
Aigerim, Alumnus
Born in Kyrgyzstan, Aigerim came to the U.S. with her family when she was 10 years old. Her experience as the eldest child helped her parents and siblings figure out how things worked in the U.S., like taking the SATs to get into college. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from CUNY School of Professional Studies, and after school wasn’t progressing to late-stage interviews for jobs she really wanted. In Spring 2022, Aigerim joined StreetWise as a mentee with specific goals: 1) to improve her interview and communications skills; 2) to expand her network; and 3) to secure a job in finance. With the help of StreetWise and her mentor, she achieved all three. Now she is happily working at JP Morgan Chase and is the first woman in her family to be in a corporate career.
“My mentor helped me practice questions and research the role and company. I’m grateful to have a mentor who fully supports me and cheers me on.”
Louis, Alumnus
When Louis Soto Ciprián joined StreetWise Partners as a mentee, he had been in and out of homeless shelters for three years. Growing up in the inner city and going through the foster system, Louis Soto “lost it all multiple times at an early age,” he shares. A broken leg had ended his hopes for a basketball career. He was struggling in college and working odd jobs. And still, he wanted so much for himself. When Louis joined the StreetWise Partners program, he was paired with two mentors working in different fields — management consulting and IT infrastructure — who helped him develop his professional character. He learned how to articulate himself in a professional setting, including creating talk tracks, delivering his elevator pitch, and developing the charisma he needed to have relevant conversations and network. Louis also gained the core skills of how to write a resume and prep for a job interview. Today, years later, he’s a successful Enterprise Account Executive for Zappos at Work (ZAW).
“StreetWise uplifted me by providing me with the opportunity to gain access to a community of mentors, career preparation, corporate networking events, and personal growth.”
Krystal, Alumnus
Krystal Lian grew up in a Chinese-speaking family and community in Brooklyn and is a first-generation college student. While attending Baruch College, Krystal took on a part-time job at the A+ Academy learning center, where she also communicated in Chinese. Although she could speak and comprehend English, Krystal still lacked the confidence to use it fluently. As a rising junior Krystal was intrigued when she heard a speaker talk about someone getting an internship thanks to StreetWise. She researched the program, applied, and was accepted. With the support of StreetWise, Krystal learned how to communicate in different settings, prepare for interviews, and network — all of which built her skills and confidence. After two successful internships in finance, she is now preparing for the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) introductory-level finance exam and looking for her first full-time role post-graduations.
“I am so thankful I joined StreetWise. I was introverted, very shy, and didn’t know how to communicate very well, so it was eye-opening to learn how people speak in the professional world.”
Mercy, Alumnus
In 2015, Mercy Umanzor Martine’s entire family came to the U.S. from El Salvador. She had to stay behind because her application wasn’t approved. All she could do was wait — and focus on her career. She continued working in procurement and pursued additional education, including a Master’s Degree in Supply Chain Management & Logistics. Then when Mercy was approved to come to the U.S., she wasn’t able to become employed until she got her work authorization documents. While she waited, she enrolled in English classes and, based on a tip from her sister, signed up for the StreetWise mentoring program in Washington, D.C. She thought it would take a long time to get a job in the field she loves. She was wrong-- StreetWise Partners helped her quickly land her dream job as a procurement manager before she even graduated from the program.
“StreetWise opened my eyes to new approaches to achieving my career goals. It helped me realize that my knowledge and experience are transferable and that I can land my dream job here in the U.S.”
Alain, Alumnus
Originally from West Africa, Alain Coulibaly came to the U.S. with an impressive academic and professional background. He had a Master’s Degree in Environmental Health, Safety, and Quality Management, multiple certifications, and years of experience working in his field. Despite his qualifications, he struggled to find a job where he could use those skills. Then he joined the StreetWise Partners mentorship program in Washington, D.C. — and three months later, landed a role as an Environmental Health and Safety Specialist. He says he’s a new person now — so much more comfortable and confident interacting with people. In addition to working in his new role, Alain is completing an MBA at the University of Maryland Global Campus to improve his management skills. He is always trying to be better and figure out how to make things work for his career and his family.
“StreetWise changed my life in the U.S. in just three months.”
Olga, Alumnus
Ukraine was Olga Potapova’s home. It’s where she lived and where she had a successful career as an accountant. But in December of 2022, she left her country to escape the war and came to the U.S. Everything was brand new — the language, the culture, the job search. But that didn’t hold her back. Shortly after moving in with her daughter and son-in-law in Bethesda, Maryland, Olga heard about StreetWise, a free, one-year mentoring program to help people like her navigate the U.S. job market. She knew right away that it was exactly what she needed. With the support of StreetWise Partners, she learned the skills she needed to find a job in the U.S. and keep working as an accountant in a career she loves.
“Without StreetWise, it would have been really difficult to break into the professional world. I am so grateful that the program exists and that I participated in it. It helped me understand the job search and get a job.”
The Opportunity Pledge
In September 2023 during Workforce Development Month, we announced The Opportunity Pledge; a public commitment companies are making to build an inclusive and diverse workforce.
The Opportunity Pledge is an open call for organizations to commit to advance economic equity in the workforce. Companies contribute to The Opportunity Pledge in three ways: by making a tax-deductible financial contribution to StreetWise Partners to reach more jobseekers, by making a commitment to hire StreetWise Partners’ graduates, and through in-kind donations such as lending office space for in-person programming.
The Opportunity Pledge offers employers a proven program to attract talent while growing a diverse workforce. Forward-thinking organizations have joined the pledge to publicly mark their commitment. Early adopters of The Opportunity Pledge included Erickson Immigration Group, Symphony, Mizuho, Tradeweb, TIAA, Global Atlantic Financial Group, and The Ready Foundation.
The Opportunity Pledge is an ongoing campaign and commitment, grow along with us and your peers and reach out today to join and sign the pledge!
Volunteerism
Volunteerism is the cornerstone of the StreetWise program model. Every year hundreds of corporate professionals dedicate 10,000 hours of service as volunteers, mentors, and through networking events and workshops. Volunteers support StreetWise mentees with skill building, networking, career exploration, job searching, interviewing, navigating the hiring process, and more. Volunteers contribute to and nurture the sense of community for StreetWise mentees, and also gain from the community as it flourishes. As a result, volunteers develop their own leadership and management skills and gain access to professional leaders, professional development workshops, networking opportunities, and more.
Volunteers participate in the program for one-day events, according to their interests and availability. It is a wonderful way to contribute to the mentee's career trajectory and gives shorter bursts of high-value interaction and activities.
StreetWise offers a variety of volunteer opportunities that vary based on time commitment and interest. These include:
Mentor
Volunteers are paired with a mentee to provide valuable professional and soft skill development to support job search and engagement. Mentors provide coaching and hands-on training. Volunteers can renew their involvement in each cycle. This is a year-long commitment. The program is currently being conducted virtually and in-person.
One-Time Volunteer
Volunteers can participate in one-time events including mock interviews, and speed networking. These events give our mentees a chance to practice their skills and gain feedback and allow volunteers to have a meaningful high-impact short-term volunteer experience. These events are currently being hosted in-person and are 2.5 hours each.
Lead Volunteer
Mentors who have volunteered for two or more cycles can serve as a Lead Volunteer and are responsible for presenting curriculum and overseeing a group of mentor/mentee pairs. They develop exceptional leadership and organizational skills and strong facilitation/presentation skills.
“I wanted my mentee to know that she’s not alone in this process and that she has a community that believes in her and wants her to do her best.”
Maya,
Volunteer and Mentor
“My mentors were always available to give me advice and share their knowledge. They were phenomenal in the ways they taught, supported, and encouraged me.”
Drita, Alumnus
“My mentor showed me a lot of new platforms and taught me how to be really organized. He really shaped me into a more mature, responsible person. I learned how vital an internship is and how important it is to allow you to grow in your own career. I was just really lucky to score him as a mentor.”
Yajaira, Alumnus
“I want to uplift my community. My community is underserved and it’s just because we lack certain resources. I’m big on how I can motivate and speak life into people like me, and help them bridge that gap like StreetWise Partners did for me.”
Jamar, Alumnus
Breakfast Program Committee
