Matilda Raffa Cuomo’s life has been dedicated to service. She has been a respected and distinguished advocate on behalf of women, children and families. As the former First Lady of New York State, she diligently worked as a volunteer with state and elected officials and community leaders, to establish programs to prevent child abuse, strengthen families, promote adoptions for foster care children and prevent school drop outs.
The Importance of Public Service
Mrs. Cuomo has been described as the most active First Lady in New York State’s history. In 1987, to prevent school drop outs, Mrs. Cuomo established the New York State Mentoring Program, the nation’s first state-wide school-based- one-to-one mentoring program. In 1995, she established Mentoring USA, to continue support for the New York State Mentoring Programs. Mentoring USA has expanded to five states and Mentoring USA Italia established in Italy provides mentors for over 600 children.
Mentoring USA, is the only mentoring program with a special training component fully focused on mentoring foster care children ages 5-18, to try to make a real difference for their future. Mentoring USA sites are available in schools, residential facilities and community centers.
