15 Reasons for 15 Years: Day 8

As we count down the last 15 days of our Holiday Appeal, we’re giving you 15 reasons — one per day — why we’ve been the premier writing organization for New York City’s underserved teen girls for 15 years.
Having a mentee is a responsibility, but it’s also a gift. Our mentor-mentee pairs become lifelong friends and partners in craft, rooting for each other all the way:

“The most gratifying moment for me was when my Girls Write Now mentee was selected to participate at a reading series at Fordham University. It was even more special because it was her 17th birthday. As she stood up at the podium and read her poetry for the first time in front of a crowd, I had tears in my eyes.” — Alissa Riccardelli, mentor

• Support Girls Write Now today with a gift and help write our girls’ stories!