April 29, 2025
Get to know the people behind MENTOR’s work, serving to MENTOR proceed to steer the mentoring motion. By our “Meet the Workers” sequence, MENTOR introduces the most recent members of the MENTOR workforce. Right this moment, we’re introducing you to Alex Turney, who not too long ago joined our coverage and advocacy workforce at MENTOR.
May you introduce your self to our viewers and embrace a little bit about your private {and professional} background?
My title is Alex Turney, and I’m the brand new coverage supervisor on the coverage and advocacy workforce at MENTOR. I’ve labored within the federal policy-making house for 3 years working at each the U.S. Division of Training and with the U.S. Home of Representatives. Beforehand, I studied economics and public coverage on the College of Virginia (go hoos!) earlier than shifting to D.C. the place I’ve lived for the final three years.
I used to be born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia the place I grew up taking part in sports activities and loving the outside. As I grew up, I used to be fortunate sufficient to have sturdy mentors who developed my curiosity in each service and group.
What introduced you to MENTOR?
I got here to MENTOR as a result of I used to be excited concerning the alternative to advocate for younger folks. Rising financial mobility and increasing alternatives for younger folks from all backgrounds have been the driving forces of why I work in public coverage. Discovering a corporation that shares my perception within the potential of all younger folks confirmed me that I had discovered my new house.
What does your new function entail? What are you most trying ahead to?
In my new function, I’ll assist MENTOR’s federal coverage agenda by analyzing laws, growing working relationships with congressional workplaces, and figuring out alternatives to develop youth mentoring applications through federal coverage and funding. I’m trying ahead to participating with our Associates and different native, state, and federal companions to raised perceive the impression mentoring has.
I acknowledge that to be an efficient advocate for the mentoring motion, I might want to take heed to and study from our companions who’re doing this work each day. I’m enthusiastic about this chance to study extra concerning the tales that present us why mentoring issues.
What offers you hope for younger folks in America?
Younger folks in America are resilient and are pushed to construct a future that’s higher than the world they entered. Younger folks additionally present us methods to discover pleasure in small moments. I’m hopeful that we will take heed to and study from younger folks as they continually consider and adapt to the world they’ve come into.