ABOUT
MENTOR ME™
Why are we here?
Mentor Me of Ulster County is dedicated to providing crucial support and guidance to at-risk youth aged 6-17 through our evidence-based mentoring program. In our community, many children face overwhelming challenges such as homelessness, food insecurity, violence, and family conflict. That's why we focus on recognizing and addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), taking a holistic approach to support the well-being of each child we serve.
Our founder, Stephanie Kresser, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who witnessed firsthand the struggles faced by local youth as an Attendance Social Worker in the Kingston School District. She saw children dealing with chronic absence, family instability, and homelessness. Most notably, she noticed a consistent pattern: many of these children lacked a significant adult role model in their lives.
Determined to be a force for change, Stephanie worked tirelessly to establish Mentor Me of Ulster County. Her vision is rooted in a deep passion for calling our community to action, providing support for families, guidance for children, and promoting a strong educational foundation for all. Our program is built around the core values of ASK, HELP, and HOPE. We ask compassionate questions to understand each child's needs, respond with helping statements to offer support, and work tirelessly to instill hope and resilience in our Mentees.
The need for mentorship cannot be overstated. According to the Who Mentored You? study, 1.8 million young people in the U.S. grow up without adult guidance. Youth from BIPOC communities and lower income households face disproportionately higher unmet mentoring needs, especially when it comes to mental health. At Mentor Me of Ulster County™, we are dedicated to closing this critical gap, providing a nurturing environment where youth can thrive, overcome challenges, and reach their full potential. Our goal is to empower every Ulster County child with the support, guidance, and resources they need to succeed in life.
Staff & Board of Directors
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Rachel Orourke
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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I’m incredibly honored to serve as Executive Director of Mentor Me and continue the amazing mission of Stephanie Kresser.
Prior to taking this position I worked for Coordinated Children’s Services as an MST therapist, practicing a model of community-driven family based treatment for at risk youth. I was previously a case manager for the NEXIS program which uses TST (trauma systems therapy) to prevent placement of youth who engage in high risk behavior as a result of trauma. I began my career in human services as a community health worker with MiSN (Maternal infant services network), which addressed the problematic racial disparities in maternal health and successful parenting. I have completed internships in fundraising and business development. I currently hold a Master’s of Science in Organizational Leadership from Mercy College, graduating with a 3.9 GPA and published thesis on the ethics of higher education as a business model. I have a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology, and an Associates degree is in Liberal Arts.
As a youth I’ve experienced many of the same barriers and disadvantages as the families our organization serves. I deeply understand how issues such as poverty, chronic homelessness, food insecurity, decreased access to pro-social activities, as well as lack of educational support and resources gravely impact opportunities for low-income families. I’m passionate about paying forward the mentorship that changed my personal outcome, creating hope and inspiration for the youth we mentor, and continuing to cultivate a work environment that recognizes and values the indescribable humanitarian efforts our staff and volunteers dedicate themselves to every day.
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Brenna Whitaker
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
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Brenna has called the Hudson Valley home for over a decade. She currently lives in the Kingston area with her family. Her professional background is deeply rooted in administration, providing vital support to organizations. In her role as Director of Operations, she is committed to streamlining processes and maximizing the organization's impact on at-risk youth in Ulster County. Brenna sees her work at Mentor Me as more than just a job—it's an opportunity to be part of something transformative and impactful in her community.
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Jon Whitaker
INTERIM BOARD PRESIDENT
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Jon is a lifelong resident of Ulster County with over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector. As the Field Director for the Greater Hudson Valley Council, Jon plays a vital role in supporting the region’s Scouting programs. In addition to his professional work, Jon is deeply involved in his community, volunteering with Kingston Cub Scout Pack 11 and Mentor Me. He is passionate about giving back and is eager to leverage his extensive experience in volunteer recruitment and fundraising to benefit Mentor Me and its mission to empower and support local youth. Outside of his professional and volunteer commitments, you can find him baking cakes and cookies and rooting for the Buffalo Bills.
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Andrea Alamia
BOARD TREASURER
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Andrea has been working with children for 20 years and specifically dedicated her focus to children with autism for the past 15 years. She is trained in RDI, ABA, & play therapy. She attended Kingston High School and SUNY Ulster. She currently works as a Special Needs Nanny. Her big heart and kind soul are her best assets. A natural caregiver, she loves children, animals, and nature. She is actively committed to help with resources for animals in need of fostering and adoption. Since joining Mentor Me she has fully immersed herself in bringing the community together offering her support with Mentees individually or helping organize and coordinate events and fundraising.
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Jeanie Antonelle
BOARD SECRETARY
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Coming soon.
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Susan Nelson
BOARD MEMBER
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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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David Garraffa
BOARD MEMBER
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Bio coming soon.
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Jaden Harris
BOARD MEMBER
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Coming soon.