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National Center for Mentoring Excellence

The National Center for Mentoring Excellence

"You've got to believe if you want to succeed."
- Laing Burns

The National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute's National Center for Mentoring Excellence (NCME) was established through a five-year research and development grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration. The goal of the NCME is to develop and facilitate model mentoring programs, based on established best practices for mentoring, that can be replicated throughout the country.  These programs will match blind and low vision young adults with positive blind role models who demonstrate good blindness skills, incorporate an exemplary philosophy on blindness into their daily lives, and are successful in their chosen careers.

Learn how blind youth have been empowered by positive blind adult role models. Watch Walking the Walk: The NFB Mentorship Advantage. 

A mentor floats in the water during an activity."Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you have imagined."
- Henry David Thoreau


Imagine the Possibilities...

For more information regarding the National Center for Mentoring Excellence, please click on one of the following links:

  • About the NCME 
    Learn more about the development and history of the program as well as information on the individual state programs.
  • Mentoring Activities
    Need ideas and activities for your mentoring relationship?
  • Information about Mentoring  A mentor sits on top of a pole during a ropes course activity.
    Learn more about mentoring and its importance in the lives of young adults.  Mentors and mentees can learn about the benefits of mentoring as well as their specific roles in the relationship.
  • Mentoring Spotlight
    January is National Mentoring Month, and we are celebrating with our Mentoring Spotlight by recognizing mentors and mentees and showing how mentoring has made a difference in the lives of blind people.
  • Reflections and Nuggets of Wisdom
    Read about the mentoring relationship from the perspective of both the mentor and the mentee.  Learn about the importance of mentoring through stories from successful adults about who mentored them!
  • Participants
    Already in the NCME program?  Visit our participants' page to complete your reports and/or evaluations!
  • Printable Brochure (pdf) 
  • Brochure (online)
  • Obtaining Employment
    As a mentee, do you ever wonder what blind people are doing as a career?

If you have any questions about the NCME, contact:

Treva E. Olivero
Coordinator, Mentoring and Outreach Projects
Jernigan Institute
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
200 East Wells Street
     at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314, ext. 2295
(410) 659-5129 (fax)

Support the programs of the Jernigan Institute through the Imagination Fund!