Meet Tamika Jeanty | Mentor & Volunteer Coordinator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tamika Jeanty and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tamika, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
The “I Have A Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles provides long-term support to youth living in under-resourced communities to enable them to achieve their full potential. We promote, from an early age, values of higher education and career success and provide opportunities guaranteed through financial resources, enrichment programs and more.

Our vision is for all children to have the opportunity to earn a college degree and to fully capitalize on their talents and aspirations and fulfill their dreams of attaining successful careers and productive global citizenship.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I was born and raised on the sunny shores of Miami, Florida, and hold a degree in Interdisciplinary Social Science with a minor in American Sign Language. As a first-generation Haitian, I take immense pride in my rich and beautiful culture. Beyond my professional pursuits, I am a multifaceted individual with passions for singing, cooking, painting, attending live concerts, and spending quality time with my loved ones.

As the Mentor & Volunteer Coordinator at IHADLA, I oversee the Mentorship and Volunteer Program, managing planning, implementation, and sustainability with support from my colleagues. I ensure the program operates effectively by coordinating logistics, supporting mentors and mentees, and maintaining high program standards.

I design the program framework, recruit and match participants based on compatibility, provide mandatory mentor training and interviews, and continuously evaluate program effectiveness through feedback and check-ins. I also facilitate regular communication, manage resources and budgets, and ensure compliance with organizational and legal guidelines, reflecting my leadership across the volunteer program.

With my background in marketing, I developed a detailed presentation called “Mentorship Program Strategy” to help our National “I Have a Dream” Foundation (IHDF), based in New York, better understand the program’s successes and areas for improvement. I update the Program Plan Design quarterly and explore new recruitment opportunities to bring in additional mentors.

My digital marketing, graphic design, event planning, project management, and administration expertise have revitalized the IHADLA Mentorship Program. Because of the program’s success, other affiliates and the National IHDF have adopted several of my initiatives.

My event planning experience led IHADLA to launch its first Mentor Mingle Session in 2023. In 2024, our team redesigned this event into the Alumni Mentor Mixer, which launched successfully in the summer. National IHDF has also implemented several systems I developed, including a mentor certification initiative, where mentors receive a certificate of completion after training and onboarding, and the administrative next-step system, now used by all affiliates.

My passion for mentorship extends to my own participation; I currently mentor a middle school Dreamer Scholar, giving me firsthand insight into the program’s needs and inspiring continuous updates that reflect IHADLA’s mission: “To provide long-term support to youth living in under-resourced communities to enable them to achieve their full potential.”

I live by the words of Michelle Obama: “Don’t ever make decisions based on fear. Make decisions based on hope and possibility. Make decisions based on what should happen, not what shouldn’t.” This quote reflects my life approach and dedication to empowering others through mentorship.

“Ever wonder how dreams become degrees?”
Contact us: info@ihadla.org

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to our program sites to volunteer. Volunteering with the “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles (IHADLA) means making a meaningful difference in the lives of our Dreamer Scholars in Los Angeles. Below are our site schedule:

Sites and Schedules

Program 20: Support for After-School Program in Inglewood (8th & 9th Graders)
– Program Schedule: Monday through Friday, 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm.
– Location: Frank D. Parent
– Activities: Homework support, tutoring, intervention, enrichment, outdoor play, and social-emotional workshops designed to help our Dreamer Scholars.

Program 21: Support for After-School Program in Pasadena (1st & 2nd Graders)
– Program Schedule: Monday: Early release day 12:00 pm-5:30 pm, & Tuesday-Friday:2:15 pm-5:30 pm (Volunteers please arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled time to find parking and check-in at the school front office.)
– Location: Madison Elementary School
– Activities: Homework support, college & career readiness workshops, and social-emotional workshops designed to help our Dreamer Scholars.
– Each of these opportunities allows you to make a meaningful impact on our Dream Scholars’ lives, helping them achieve their academic and personal goals.
“Have just a few hours each week? Join us and discover how your time can transform lives and make a meaningful difference!”

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am giving a huge SHOUT OUT to the “I Have A Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles!

The “I Have A Dream” Foundation—Los Angeles works to ensure that all children have the opportunity to pursue higher education, fulfill their potential, and achieve their dreams. We empower our Dreamer Scholars to graduate from college by equipping them with the skills and knowledge to succeed in post-secondary school and providing tuition support to help remove financial barriers.

IHADLA works with Dreamer Scholars during school, after school, on the weekends, and throughout the summer for 12+ years, developing long-term relationships with our students and their families. We provide academic and socio-emotional support to our Dreamer Scholars, equipping them with the confidence and life skills needed to pursue their most ambitious dreams.

Our unwavering commitment to nurturing students from first grade through post-secondary education sets us apart from other remarkable organizations. We support an entire first-grade class, building lasting relationships with the Dreamer Scholars and their families while empowering each student on their unique journey. We believe in embracing all students, without “cherry-picking,” ensuring that everyone—regardless of their socio-economic background or academic performance—receives the opportunity to thrive. What also sets us apart is the longevity of the IHADLA team, many of whom, including our Executive Director, who started on the ground working with Dreamer Scholars, have been working for the organization for over 19+ years.

Website: https://www.ihadla.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ihadla/