Newark Mentoring Movement, a network of mentoring programs supporting youth in Newark, is holding their sixth annual charity golf outing on Monday, May 22nd at Bayonne Golf Club in Bayonne, NJ. This outing helps to raise critical funds so that they can carry out their vital mission – creating more avenues for youth in Newark to connect with life-changing mentors. NMM’s network has grown to include 57 programs with over 4,000 mentees. With each new program, they aim to transform the community by preparing youth to succeed in life through positive mentoring relationships.
Senator Cory Booker, New York Giants’ Zak DeOssie and Justin Tuck have teamed up with Newark Mentoring Movement again for this year’s event. Other notable attendees include Steve Weatherford, Ken Daneyko, Mike Massimino Duke Castiglione, Jack Mulcahy, and Jimmy Carbone. (more to be announced)
“Newark Mentoring Movement (NMM) is all about building the relationships that are at the heart of powerful communities,” explained NMM Executive Director Elizabeth Weisholtz. “We work to make sure that all children in Newark have the supportive relationships they need, and in order to do this, we are building a community of mentors and mentoring programs that not only support the youth but also each other. NMM is the trunk of the tree. We create the structures – for example training curricula, toolkits, databases, leadership teams – that allow programs, mentors, and youth to grow and blossom. And everyone lends resources, ideas, and a helping hand, so everyone can achieve more. Our vision is for the young people of Newark to be able to grow up in, and one day lead, this kind of vibrant and powerful community,” Weisholtz concluded.
“One of the most valuable experiences of my life, from my teenage years to even now as a US Senator, has been being a mentor,” said Senator Booker. “Don’t complain about the world, when you can be part of the solution. Don’t say that the world needs more love and more compassion, that somebody should do something about the challenges facing our children, be that somebody. Be a mentor.”
“Joining forces with Senator Booker and Justin Tuck again for NMM’s outing has been such a rewarding experience,” DeOssie said. “You know, I feel fortunate enough to have had incredible mentors throughout my life – but I realize that not everyone has had that same support. If I can be that guy to even one kid, I will feel like I have achieved my goal. Sometimes all a child needs is the encouragement from someone they look up to – to remind them that they can accomplish whatever they set their mind to.”
“It’s such a great feeling to be involved with an organization whose mission you feel such a personal connection to,” Tuck added. “I have seen first hand the importance of mentoring through my own work with children. Newark Mentoring Movement is connecting over 4,000 children with life-changing mentors. With your support and the support of the community, the organization will only continue to expand. The sky’s the limit.”
There has been an outpouring of support from the local community this year. With many Newark-based businesses as the sponsors, the involvement from Newark’s own is a special addition to an already special day.
This year, NMM will host a mentee roundtable lead by Senator Booker, Steve Weatherford and former NASA Astronaut Mike Massimino. The motivational roundtable will be followed by a golf clinic sponsored by ShopRite of Newark. Mentees from She Wins!, Talent Development at East Side High School and Eagle Academy will be attending.
New this year, the organization introduced a “Mentors Change Lives — Sponsor a Hole” initiative. Each hole will represent the value of mentoring as defined by the sponsor. Sponsors include: USP, New York Giants, Food Karma, Brooklyn Nets, Cali Futures, David Genova, Rose Cali, Ironbound Hard Cider, City National Bank, Janus Solutions, Gastroenterology Group of Northern New Jersey, Westfield Family Practice, and Beth & Scott Weiner. There is a Coding Club mini grant sponsored by Sevret Family Grant and the Skooled Mentoring Program mini grant sponsored by Cail Futures. Additional mini grant sponsors include Peapack Bank. This year’s Champion Sponsor is Steve Lefkowitz.
Additional sponsors of this year’s event include: Unionwear, New York Yankees, Hillside Candy, Kenneth Cole, National Football League, New Sock City, and First Field Ketchup.
The daylong fundraiser will begin at 9:30 a.m.
To learn more about the organization, contact Newark Mentoring Movement, visit www.newarkmentoring.org, golfo