Hello Kris,

I look back at my essay and it honestly warms my heart to see that it reflects who I am, not someone I was trying to be for the college administration. You put in as much work as I did and I couldn't have done it without your advice which was exactly what I needed to organize my ideas. Lastly, I appreciate your patience and kindness. I never felt like I was being rushed or like I had to put something that really didn't correlate with the person that I am. The ideas came organically. Thank you so much 💕 

~ YPIE Fellow 2028

I am grateful to have you as my graduation coach because you are always ready to help me. You share your experiences with me so that I have an idea of what life is like outside of high school. You have been guiding me to do my best. You always offer me help, even when I don't ask, which is really nice.

~ YPIE Scholar 2028

At our Matching Ceremonies on October 25th and November 2nd, we witnessed the beginnings of 26 new mentoring relationships that will support our Scholars through high school graduation. It was such a joy to watch the coaches and students discover common interests and discuss their hopes for the future of their relationships. This round of matches included 11 current Graduation Coaches, 11 new ones, and 4 who returned to YPIE after taking a break. Welcome to our new volunteers, and welcome back to our returning ones!

We are thrilled that so many of our Essay and Graduation Coaches are meeting with students in person! Please follow the YPIE Volunteer School Visit Policy if you are meeting a student at one of the high schools. If you wish to meet at the YPIE College Zone, please email me the date and time.

As usual, this newsletter is full of information about upcoming events. Please take the time to read it through carefully (or save it in your inbox until you have the time) and as always, reach out if you have any questions.

Thank you!

Stacy Winitt

Senior Director, Volunteer Engagement



UPCOMING EVENTS

Attunement in Mentoring Workshop via Zoom

• November 14th from 10:00am-11:00am OR
• November 15th from 6:00pm-7:00pm OR
• November 20th from 2:00pm-3:00pm
• Open to all volunteers; based on Chapter 4 of Becoming a Better Mentor

Volunteer Event - Hudson River Museum Tour

• November 16th from 1:00pm - 3:00pm
• Please submit this RSVP form to let us know you will be attending

Coach Meetup hosted by Volunteer Advisory Board via Zoom

• November 28th from 4:00pm - 5:00pm
• Open discussion forum for all volunteers

Volunteer Event - Coffee Klatch at Riverfront Library

• December 6th from 10:00am - 11:30am
• Please submit this RSVP form to let us know you will be attending

See YPIE Volunteer calendar at ypie.org/ypievolunteer



STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

1-ON-1 TUTORING AVAILABLE!

We have a cohort of volunteers who provide 1-on-1 tutoring in the College Zone after school Monday through Thursday. If your Scholar is struggling with any academic subject (especially math and science), and can commit to attending tutoring sessions in person at the College Zone, please have them complete the YPIE Tutoring Request Form.

VOLUNTEER NEWS

ESSAY COACHES NEEDED: November 14th and 15th

YPIE is partnering with Saunders High School to offer 1-on-1 college application essay support to seniors who are not YPIE Scholars or Fellows. If you are able to help on Tuesday, November 14th at Saunders HS (183 Palmer Road, Yonkers, NY 10701), please email me which option below works for your schedule.

• Option 1 - 11:30-2:00pm
• Option 2 - 12:15-2:45pm
• Option 3 - 11:30-2:45pm

STEM SUMMER INTERNSHIP APPLICATION ASSISTANCE NEEDED: November/December

Many of our 10th grade Science Research students will be applying for summer internships in the coming weeks. We would love to have a few volunteers come to the College Zone after school (within the window of 3:00pm-5:30pm) to work with these students as they create resumes, answer personal statements, and prepare for interviews. If you are interested in this opportunity, please email Jake Schofield (jschofield@ypie.org) to find out more.

AFTER SCHOOL TUTORS NEEDED: November through June

We are seeking after school science tutors (mainly biology and chemistry) to work 1-on-1 with students in the College Zone. The days are flexible (Monday-Thursday) and the times would be in the range of 3:30pm-5:30pm. If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please email me.

FIELD TRIPS WITH STUDENTS

Volunteers are permitted to take field trips with their students provided that they arrive separately at the destination or use public transportation. Volunteers should never transport students in their personal vehicles. If you wish to take a field trip, please fill out this YPIE Coach Permission Slip, have your Scholar’s parents/guardians sign it, and keep the signed copy. Please take selfies of you and your Scholar enjoying your adventures and send them to me!

SCHOOL VISITS

Essay Coaches and Graduation Coaches can meet with students at school during their lunch/free periods. Please read and adhere to the YPIE Volunteer School Visit Policy, schedule your visits on days when YPIE staff will be at the schools, and email them in advance to let them know your plans.

Graduation Coaches should email Readiness Managers and Essay Coaches should email College Advisors about student meetings. Please note that “alternating Fridays” means either the RM or the CA will be at the school (not both), so please email both YPIE staff members if you are planning a visit on a Friday.

• CSEE - Monday through Friday (Room 107)
• College Advisors: Aldina Kennedy (akennedy@ypie.org) and Rosanne Aresty (raresty@ypie.org)

• Lincoln - Mondays and Tuesdays; alternating Fridays (Room 221)
• Gorton - Wednesdays and Thursdays; alternating Fridays (Room 106A)
• Readiness Manager: Emily Latainer (elatainer@ypie.org)
• College Advisor: Cindy Zarzuela (czarzuela@ypie.org)

• YMA - Mondays and Tuesdays; alternating Fridays (Library)
• Obama - Wednesdays, Thursdays, alternating Fridays (Library)
• Readiness Manager: Daria Lee (dlee@ypie.org)
• College Advisor: Shaina Zarzuela (szarzuela@ypie.org) 

• Riverside - Mondays and Tuesdays; alternating Fridays (Room 126D)
• Roosevelt - Wednesdays and Thursdays; alternating Fridays (Room 104)
• Readiness Manager: Jose Nuñez (jnunez@ypie.org) 
• College Advisor: Ashley Polanco (apolanco@ypie.org)

• Saunders - Monday through Friday (Room 225)
• Readiness Manager: Kiarra Christian (kchristian@ypie.org)
• College Advisor: Alexa Dalbis (adalbis@ypie.org) 

• YHS - Monday through Friday (Library)
• Readiness Managers: Brianna Cotza (bcotza@ypie.org) and Jake Schofield (jschofield@ypie.org)
• College Advisors: Olga Murphy (omurphy@ypie.org) and Amy Gutenplan (agutenplan@ypie.org) 



VOLUNTEER REMINDERS

GRADUATION COACH REMINDERS

Please reach out to me if you have experienced any difficulty in maintaining continual contact with your Scholar.  You should be meeting at least once every 3 weeks. Please submit an Exit Ticket for each Scholar meeting.

• A meeting is defined as taking place in-person or via phone/video call. Text messages and emails do not count as meetings.
• Try using the Mood Meter at the start of your meetings as a routine way to check-in with each other.



ESSAY COACH REMINDERS

We are halfway through the Essay Writing Fall Season!  A few reminders:

• Update the Fall Milestone Tracker regularly to track your student’s progress.  If you are having difficulty maintaining consistent contact with your student, please let me know.
• Read the weekly email blast with Tips and Reminders for information relevant to each week of the season.  
• Once your Team Captain has signed off on the final draft, please send a copy to me (that is the final milestone on the tracker).

VOLUNTEER RESOURCES

Listening, Connecting, and Mentoring Presentation (Sept/Oct 2023)

Volunteer Kickoff Event presentation (September 19, 2023)

Becoming a Better Mentor (full 135-page guidebook)

Thanks for reading all the way to the end! 😃