Legg Mason’s Award-Winning Community Workplace Mentoring Program Graduates Its Newest Class
100% of participating seniors received their high school diplomas, among other awards
Mentoring is a cornerstone of Legg Mason’s community volunteerism initiatives and reflects the firm’s philanthropic commitment to education with an emphasis on underserved youth. The newest class of Legg Mason’s Community Workplace Mentoring Program recently graduated high school with 100% of the participants earning their diploma and many students receiving honorary awards as well.
This is the second cohort of mentees in the Legg Mason program to graduate from highschool. The upcoming 2015-2016 academic year class of mentees will mark the 6th year of this award-winning program.
Each academic year, dedicated Legg Mason employees at the firm’s headquarters location mentor youth from Patterson High School, in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake. Since 2010, Legg Mason volunteers have mentored Patterson students via a structured workplace program once a month. For many Legg Mason mentors, this commitment extends beyond the workplace via mentoring in the community on their own free time.
The program is managed by a dedicated volunteer steering committee and is supported by the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility group and its Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Council. Additionally, the program has a senior-level Executive sponsor who encourages the youth to “show up, have fun, listen, and get involved” which they have all done enthusiastically.
Previously honored by the Greater Baltimore Committee for a Mayor’s Business Award, the program is viewed by many in the community as a best practice model.
While most of the sessions are held at Legg Mason’s Baltimore location and are focused on building life skills, the students have also had an opportunity to participate in off-site environmental wetland protection projects as well as serving meals at local soup kitchens. Additionally, some of the mentees have had an opportunity to intern with Legg Mason over the summer, providing students with important professional resume-building experience.
In addition to the firm’s partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Legg Mason is committed to furthering opportunities for youth through multiple internships and educational programs, including partnerships with Cristo Rey High School, Urban Alliance, Boys Hope Girls Hope, College Bound Urban Scholars, among others.
To read more about Legg Mason's community programs, visit http://www.leggmason.com/about/csr/community.aspx
