Keep the Heart of the Movement Alive.

After 10 years, David Shapiro left his role as CEO of MENTOR to lead the YMCA of Greater Boston. David’s servant leadership to the mentoring field has spanned nearly two decades, beginning at our Massachusetts Affiliate, Mass Mentoring Partnership, and culminating in leading MENTOR nationally. Throughout his tenure, David led both MENTOR and the overall mentoring movement to tremendous heights. He brought together government resources, the private sector, the sports and entertainment world, hundreds of nonprofit organizations, and thousands of generous and dedicated individuals — all in service of ensuring every young person has the relationships needed to not only strive but thrive.

For so many, David represented the heart of the mentoring movement. He demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the mentoring field, living out the values of MENTOR in his life and leadership. The Board of Directors can think of no better way to honor David’s impact than to continue allowing his legacy to inspire others to become the Heart of the Movement.

The Keontai Robinson and David Shapiro Heart of the Movement Fund

Named after his longstanding mentoring relationship and friendship with his mentee Keontai, the fund honors their incredible bond and supports initiatives and activities that foster collaboration, partnership, and innovation across MENTOR’s Affiliate network. This fund embodies David’s leadership journey within the movement – one squarely focused on elevating the critical servant leadership role MENTOR Affiliates play in helping expand the number of quality mentoring relationships, like his and Keontai’s, in communities across the country. If you’ve ever spent time with David, you left with one consistent takeaway: the mentoring movement’s strength is measured by the ability of MENTOR Affiliates to respond to and support their local communities in connecting, growing, and prioritizing mentoring for all our young people. To David, MENTOR Affiliates have ALWAYS been and will ALWAYS be the heart of the movement.

David left the organization and movement in a place that no one could have imagined a decade ago – not only strong financially, but equally strong in reputation and influence. We are excited to continue honoring his legacy with a fund that will continue this impact and fuel our ambitious goal of reaching one million more young people with quality mentoring relationships in the next two years. We hope you’ll join us in honoring David by supporting The Keontai Robinson and David Shapiro Heart of the Movement Fund with a gift today.