about MENTOR ME

OUR STORY

Mentor Me was created by Stephanie Kresser, LCSW, a former school social worker who saw firsthand the challenges many children in Ulster County were facing. She knew they needed more than just resources — they needed strong relationships, steady support, and someone who truly cared.

In 2020, Stephanie brought together a small group of volunteers who shared her vision. They began with just a few mentor matches and a lot of heart. Today, Mentor Me supports youth ages 6 to 17 through one-on-one mentoring, group programs, and practical help for families.

Mentor Me is an evidence-based program, guided by research on what works in youth development and mentoring. Our mentors are trained and supported using nationally recognized best practices to ensure safe, lasting, and meaningful relationships.

We’re also proud to say that our work is shaped by the voices of the people we serve. Youth and caregivers help inform how our program grows, what kinds of support we offer, and how we show up in the community.

Many of the kids we work with are growing up in poverty, living in motels, experiencing loss, or feeling disconnected. What they need most is connection and consistency. Our mentors are committed to being a steady presence in their lives.

This program was built from the ground up with care, compassion, and a deep belief that every child deserves to feel seen, safe, and supported. We’re proud to continue that mission every day.

Our Mission

We create life-changing connections for youth through meaningful opportunities, resources and supportive relationships.

Our Vision

We envision a supportive and inclusive community where every young person is empowered with a sense of belonging, significance, and optimism for their future.

Our Values

  • Dedicated Investment – Continually supporting our youth through life stages to encourage a higher success rate.

  • Service – Serving youth in a manner that strives to meet their needs and expectations and encourages them to grow.

  • Respect – Honoring diverse backgrounds, and exhibiting a high level of regard, courtesy, and commitment to individuals’ dignity and rights. We involve and support the mentee’s families and caregivers to ensure a holistic environment.

  • Positive Relationships – Building individualized, personalized relationships between youth and mentors and encouraging responsible choice and self-determination. Practicing active listening, clarity of information sharing, constructive problem-solving, cooperative teamwork, and assuming responsibility willingly.

  • Education – Providing tailored support through personalized, evidence-based mentoring and group activities.

  • Safety – Ensuring consistent interactions and checks; maintaining ethical and moral standards; conducting background checks, screenings and orientations.

STAFF & BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Rachel Orourke

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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    Rachel is honored to serve as the Executive Director continuing the impactful mission established by Stephanie Kresser.

    Before stepping into this role, Rachel worked as an MST therapist with Coordinated Children’s Services, implementing a community-driven, family-based treatment model for at-risk youth. Prior to that, she served as a case manager for the NEXIS program, which utilizes Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) to prevent the placement of youth engaging in high-risk behavior due to trauma. Her career in human services began as a community health worker with the Maternal Infant Services Network (MiSN), where she worked to address racial disparities in maternal health and parenting outcomes. In addition to direct service experience, she has completed internships in fundraising and business development.

    Rachel holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Mercy College, where she published a thesis on the ethics of higher education as a business model. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and an Associate degree in Liberal Arts.

    Having personally experienced many of the same barriers faced by the families served by Mentor Me, including poverty, chronic homelessness, food insecurity, and limited access to educational support and pro-social activities—Rachel brings both lived experience and professional expertise to her leadership. She is deeply committed to fostering hope and opportunity for the youth in the program, ensuring that mentorship continues to transform lives.

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  • Brenna Whitaker

    DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

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    Brenna helps keep things running behind the scenes at Mentor Me, making sure the program stays organized, accessible, and impactful for the kids and families who rely on it. She believes every child deserves a strong support system and is passionate about making mentorship as easy and meaningful as possible for both mentors and mentees.

    Having faced some of the same challenges as the youth in the program, Brenna understands how much a little extra support can mean. She works to make sure families have access to resources, mentors feel prepared and supported, and the organization continues to grow in a way that stays true to its mission.

    At the heart of it all, she believes in the power of community and connection to change lives. Whether she’s working on logistics, coordinating programs, or finding ways to bring in more support, her focus is always on making sure Mentor Me remains a safe, welcoming place where kids can thrive.

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  • ANDREA ALAMIA

    DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS

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    Andrea has been working with children for 20 years, with a dedicated focus on supporting children with autism for the past 15 years. She is trained in RDI, ABA, and play therapy and brings a deep understanding of child development and individualized support to her work.

    As Director of Programs at Mentor Me, Andrea is a strong advocate for children, ensuring that youth in the program build meaningful mentor relationships and have access to opportunities that support their growth and well-being. She works closely with mentors, families, and the community to create a supportive, inclusive environment where kids can thrive. Whether she’s coordinating programming or providing direct support to mentees and mentors, Andrea is committed to making a lasting impact.

    Her passion for youth advocacy and dedication to mentorship make her an invaluable part of the Mentor Me team.

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  • SUSAN NELSON

    SECRETARY

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    The Hudson Valley has been Susan’s home since middle school and she grown to love the Hudson River, Gunks and Ashokan Reservoir. She attended Kingston High School, SUNY Ulster and the University at Albany. As a member of the Bruderhof Communities, she is committed to caring for and serving others. She works full time in information technology, but has always made time to volunteer in schools or spent time mentoring children – especially teaching them how to identify birds. She believes that few things are more important than protecting and nurturing our children to allow them to achieve their unique potential.

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  • STEPHANIE KEARNS

    MEMBER

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    With over 17 years of experience in nonprofit management, Stephanie currently serves as the President and CEO of the United Way of Ulster County. Her career spans a diverse range of industries, including Broadway casting, art fair production, and education, all of which have shaped her expertise in organizational development, creative branding, strategic planning, marketing, event planning, partnership development, program creation, and project management—including large-scale productions and construction. 

    In addition to her nonprofit leadership, she has spent nearly seven years working in education as a consultant and in business operations across private, public, charter, and parochial schools, supporting preschool through middle school institutions. 

    Stephanie specializes in human resources, crisis management, and creative problem-solving, bringing strategic vision to organizations of all sizes. Passionate about revitalizing and modernizing historical institutions and refining newly created organizations, she thrives on cultivating relationships, stewarding resources, and driving meaningful change. At the core of her work is a deep commitment to supporting children and families, ensuring that every initiative she leads creates lasting impact.

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  • CHRISTI SOMERS

    MEMBER

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    Christi is a comedian, educator, and mental health advocate dedicated to using humor as a tool for healing and connection. With a career that spans television, film, voice over and live performance, Christi now focuses on creating accessible comedy education and emotional wellness programs for youth and underserved communities.

    She is the co-founder of The LaughtHER Collective, comedy movement that amplifies womxn+ and underrepresented voices through innovative workshops and inclusive community-building. Christi also works closely with nonprofits like Wellness Together, Stand Up! Girls, and the Center for Creative Education, where she brings her passion for storytelling and play into classrooms, after-school programs, and school-based mental health initiatives.

    Christi is a frequent speaker at the Student Mental Wellness Conference and partners Laughing Together to lead improv-based workshops that promote social-emotional learning. Her work bridges the worlds of comedy and care, creating joyful spaces where young people feel seen, heard, and empowered.

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  • Dr. Jaclyn Bleski 

    MEMBER

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    Jaclyn is a Clinical Psychologist who has worked in a school for over a decade. She has extensive experience working with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma and have various physical, emotional, social, learning and mental disabilities. Jaclyn joined Mentor Me for the same reason she became a psychologist; A myriad of research shows that a long term healthy relationship between a child and a consistent, supportive and loving adult make the most positive difference in a child’s mental well-being. 

    Jaclyn lives in Saugerties, New York with her husband and son. She enjoys traveling and spending quality time with family and friends. 

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