About Us
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Our Story
Honoring a Legacy of Mentorship
Morrison Mentors is named in honor of Arthur Morrison, whose legacy of dedication to community advancement inspires our mission and values. A renowned teacher and accomplished professor, Arthur also directed a youth basketball team at Kennedy Park where his passion for mentorship made him a beloved figure in Hempstead, NY. Since the 1980s, he provided free tutoring and homework help for children in the park’s multipurpose room, including our very own Executive Director, Doron Spleen.
A Mentor's Call to Action
Passionate about the game of basketball, Doron started in 2005 as a volunteer coach at Kennedy Park. Very early, he observed that students would miss games due to poor grades and realized that to make a more lasting impact, the focus must be on academic improvement. Switching gears, in his free time, he began instructing and mentoring youngsters in the evenings alongside Arthur, and he even sought further opportunities to assist students in group and foster homes in Queens, NY.
From Humble Beginnings to Nonprofit Excellence
Certain that academic support through mentorship was very impactful in empowering youth and their families, Doron co-founded Morrison Mentors in 2012 to scale this mission in Hempstead. Modest academic enrichment sessions for students, expanded to hobbyist computer-build and coding classes, which then evolved into the robust fleet of mobile Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs and experiences that we offer today. Using our intergenerational mentorship approach, we continue to build our strong reputation for meeting the academic and technical needs of underserved students and fostering community growth throughout Long Island, New York.
Our Passion: Inspiring the Next Generation
Our Milestones
2012: Foundation and Early Efforts
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Initiation of Morrison Mentors: In 2012, Morrison Mentors was established in Hempstead, New York, driven by a deep commitment to education and the goal of making a meaningful difference in young people's lives. The program started with no formal funding and was fuelled solely by personal dedication and a passion for educational equity.
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First Program Launch: A small Saturday enrichment program was launched at Percy Jackson Elementary School on South Franklin Street. The initial classes focused on boosting skills in science, math, and English Language Arts for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. These classes were entirely funded out-of-pocket, reflecting the founder's personal investment in the initiative.
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Community Involvement: The founder reached out to former high school classmates, creating a team of young educators who shared a vision for educational improvement. This grassroots effort saw volunteers teaching weekly classes, which generated positive feedback from parents and established a foundation of community support.
2013: Expansion and Recognition
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Grant Acquisition: By 2013, the program's success caught the attention of the Hempstead School District, which awarded a grant to expand the initiative into an after-school homework help program. This grant marked a significant milestone, providing financial support for broader educational outreach.
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Location Challenges: The expansion required finding a larger and more suitable location, which proved challenging. The search for a space that could accommodate the growing program took considerable time and effort.
Early 2015: New Location and Program Development
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Securing a Location: In early 2015, the program found a new home in a historic local church; Macedonia 7th Day Adventist Church. This church, with its own history of serving the community through an after-school program offered a lifeline. The basement of the church was converted into a vibrant learning environment, thanks to the support of the church's administrator, Mercy.
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Program Evolution: The program’s focus expanded beyond academics to include mentorship and emotional support. This period also saw the integration of technology into the curriculum, enhancing the learning experience and preparing students for a digital future.
Our Commitment: Quality Education for All
We thrive on inspiring and empowering the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers. Our work is geared toward filling the gaps left by traditional education systems to ensure that the next generation thrives in the rapidly changing world of tech. Our hands-on workshops, courses and real-world experiences help students improve STEM literacy, develop STEM identity and build 21st century skills.
We believe that every child deserves the right to a quality education that enables them to compete globally, regardless of racial, ethnic and socioeconomic barriers. Promoting diversity and inclusion is at the core of our approach as we seek to identify and eliminate barriers that have historically hindered positive life change for our underserved communities and empower them using STEM.
Meet the Team
Board of Directors
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CEO
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VPE
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CTO
This is the space to introduce the business’s team and what makes it special.
FULL NAME
CTO
This is the space to introduce the business’s team and what makes it special.
2012
Foundation and Early Efforts
-
Initiation of Morrison Mentors: In 2012, Morrison Mentors was established in Hempstead, New York, driven by a deep commitment to education and the goal of making a meaningful difference in young people's lives. The program started with no formal funding and was fuelled solely by personal dedication and a passion for educational equity.
-
First Program Launch: A small Saturday enrichment program was launched at Percy Jackson Elementary School on South Franklin Street. The initial classes focused on boosting skills in science, math, and English Language Arts for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. These classes were entirely funded out-of-pocket, reflecting the founder's personal investment in the initiative.
-
Community Involvement: The founder reached out to former high school classmates, creating a team of young educators who shared a vision for educational improvement. This grassroots effort saw volunteers teaching weekly classes, which generated positive feedback from parents and established a foundation of community support.
2013
Expansion and Recognition
-
Grant Acquisition: By 2013, the program's success caught the attention of the Hempstead School District, which awarded a grant to expand the initiative into an after-school homework help program. This grant marked a significant milestone, providing financial support for broader educational outreach.
-
Location Challenges: The expansion required finding a larger and more suitable location, which proved challenging. The search for a space that could accommodate the growing program took considerable time and effort.
Early 2015
New Location and Program Development
-
Securing a Location: In early 2015, the program found a new home in a historic local church; Macedonia 7th Day Adventist Church. This church, with its own history of serving the community through an after-school program offered a lifeline. The basement of the church was converted into a vibrant learning environment, thanks to the support of the church's administrator, Mercy.
-
Program Evolution: The program’s focus expanded beyond academics to include mentorship and emotional support. This period also saw the integration of technology into the curriculum, enhancing the learning experience and preparing students for a digital future.
2018
Major Grant and Program Growth
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United Way Grant: In 2018, Morrison Mentors received its largest grant to date from United Way. This grant was a game-changer, enabling the program to undertake new and ambitious projects. The funding allowed the program to expand its scope beyond traditional academic support to include cutting-edge technologies and innovative educational initiatives.
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Program Expansion: The increased resources facilitated the introduction of advanced technology and new opportunities, further enriching the students' educational experience and fostering a greater vision for their future.
2019
International Outreach
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South Africa Initiative: In 2019, Morrison Mentors embarked on an international mission to South Africa. Over two weeks, the team worked with more than 150 children in underserved communities, introducing them to drones and "siggies" (smart dolls on Segways). This initiative showcased the power of education to transcend geographical and economic barriers, inspiring both students and staff alike.
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Innovative Education: The introduction of drones and smart technology captured the imagination of the children and highlighted the program’s commitment to innovative and engaging educational experiences.
2020
Adaptation During COVID-19
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Pandemic Response: The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 presented unprecedented challenges. Morrison Mentors swiftly adapted by moving its operations online. Despite obstacles such as limited access to devices and internet connectivity for many students, the program remained committed to providing educational support.
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New Location: To accommodate social distancing and continue serving the community, Morrison Mentors secured a new location at 352 Fulton Ave. This space was equipped with laptops and internet access, creating a safe environment for students to continue their education.
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Recognition: The efforts during the pandemic were recognized by the state, with the governor considering the center as a potential location for a state address, reflecting the program's significant impact on the community.