City Impact’s Success Mentoring program empowers local teens to navigate the transition to adulthood. Our unique personalized approach and inspiring peer-to-peer mentoring groups provide students with an essential network of support and accountability. Mentees transform from struggling students into successful young adults. “I cannot say enough about the value of the City Impact Success Mentoring program! We are extremely appreciative. Parents have been grateful, and I know kids are impacted,” Dr. Darla Berks, Associate Principal at Lincoln Northeast High School.

Success Mentoring, working closely with Lincoln Public Schools, identifies students off-track for graduation. Mentor matches work together to reverse the student’s trajectory, recognizing graduation as the priority. Mentees are encouraged to dream, explore opportunities, and set tangible goals. The mentor relationship continues two years beyond high school, whether the mentee’s goals include continued education or a career path. Mentors provide guidance, accountability, and life skills training while creating real-world connections for students. When D’Kota started Success Mentoring, he was struggling with grades and lacking focus. D’Kota’s GPA increased by more than two full letter grades in just over a year. Capitalizing on D’Kota’s passion for architecture, his mentor connected him with a renowned local architect. D’Kota earned the Susan T. Buffet Scholarship and will be a sophomore at UNL this fall in the College of Architecture.

“I want to show people that I’m not a victim, another kid repeating their parents’ mistakes. I’m resilient, and I’m proud of that. If I focus and work hard, I will reach my goals,” says D’Kota. Success Mentoring is a one-of-a-kind program in Lincoln, and the results are inspiring! The program is on track to serve over 200 Lincoln students in the 2022/2023 school year.

“Programs like this are very beneficial to our youth. It helps keep them out of trouble and gives them a different vision for their future- like college, job success after high school, family, and a positive outlook on life,” says Jon Banks, Success Coordinator.

Studies show that at-risk youth who have a mentor benefit in a variety of ways, including: 

    •  55% more enroll in college

    •  78% volunteer regularly

    •  90% want to become a mentor for others 

    •  130% hold leadership positions 

City Impact has 25 years of experience developing local youth and cultivating young leaders who positively impact our community. Mentor, teach, empower, transform — that’s how generational cycles of struggle are broken. We know our youth are worthy of the investment.