Morrison Mentors receives grant from New York Life Foundation

Morrison Mentors, the Hempstead nonprofit that brings STEM enrichment workshops to underserved communities, was recognized for its achievements through a New York Life Foundation grant. 

New York Life officials gathered on Sept. 25 at the Morrison Mentors facility, Suite 102 of 250 Fulton Ave. in Hempstead, where they presented the grant to Executive Director Doron Spleen. 

New York Life Managing Partner Bianca H. O’Brien, Senior Partner James Varriale, Director of Agency Standards Jessica Cornejo, and Financial Advisor Stacy Pierre-Louis handed a $15,0000 check to Spleen and his staff. 

Celebrating with them were Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray, Nassau County Deputy Comptroller Jeff Schoen, and Cheryl Fajardo, president of the Nassau County Council of Chambers.

Morrison Mentors began in 2012 at the Percy Jackson Youth Center on Greenwich Street in Hempstead, where Spleen started a Saturday academic enrichment class for children in grades 3-5. 

Spleen named the enterprise for his own mentor, Arthur Morrison.

Today, at the Morrison Mentors site, instructors teach STEM courses to students in grades K-12. Scholars learn how to build a computer, create a 3-D printed dragon, handle robots and drones, or design a website — to name just a few of the fascinating projects cooked up by the Morrison team. 

In addition to on-site teaching, the instructors travel to schools in Hempstead, Uniondale, Roosevelt, Freeport, Valley Stream, Brentwood, and the Hamptons, bringing technological equipment for students to encounter hands-on. 

Several Morrison Mentors instructors chatted with the visiting dignitaries on Sept. 25.

“We have had instructors here who were not sure about their path in college,” said senior instructor Mujabii Ian Sebbowa. “They came to our part-time staff in the summer thinking, ‘Let me just make some extra money.’ Some of them now are serving in the military, others are doing cyber security or working in a field they discovered while they were here.”

“We ran a three-week course for young girls 13-16 years old,” said instructor Dayanara Pineda. “It was a blend of hands-on projects and online projects. Each week we got to introduce them to role models, women who had their own unique STEM careers.” 

“At the end of the courses,” Sebbowa said, “we have presentations for the parents, where the students show what they have learned, and take home things that they made in class.” 

A major benefit of the program has been its development of staff. More than a few of the instructors were once high school or middle school students taking a Morrison Mentors course, who then underwent training and became mentors themselves. 

“We have about 22 instructors right now,” said Spleen. “During the summer, we probably had close to 30 because we service so many different programs throughout the area. Some of the instructors that started with us in the summer are currently in college. We give them flexible job opportunities, so instead of working at a restaurant or a clothing department during the semester, they work in their major, teaching courses with us.” 

A tour of the facility on Sept. 25 included a trip to the organization’s vast basement storage area. 

“We have three different sections,” said instructor Christopher Simpson. “This is our hardware section, where we have our computers and computer-related take-home items.  This next section has a laser engraver. Our plan is to take it to different schools. Next is our science department, where we have all of the equipment for science experiments.”

Yet another portion of the basement held a group of microphone stands and photography umbrellas, from which a podcast series will start broadcasting later this year.

 It is yet another foray into the opportunities the organization seeks to provide staff and students.

“It’s more than just tech here,” said Associate Director Ghenere Heerah. “We create the environments for all the staff so no one will feel like it’s heavy corporate, restricting their creativity. You feel like it’s fun every single day.”