About

MENTOR Florida | Georgia, a multi-state Affiliate of MENTOR, serves mentoring programs and initiatives throughout Florida and Georgia. MENTOR Florida | Georgia is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit (incorporated in the state of Georgia as MENTOR Georgia Inc.). MENTOR Georgia launched independently and, soon after, announced a merger with MENTOR Florida following a successful launch within the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development at the University of Georgia. Originating from a comprehensive 2016 landscape study completed in collaboration with the Georgia Student Finance Commission and MENTOR National, MENTOR Georgia emerged to address the unmet needs and gaps identified in the structured mentoring and youth development programs in our region.

Building on the foundational research completed in the survey in conjunction with support from MENTOR National and the Fanning Institute, MENTOR Georgia grew between 2017 and 2025 into a dynamic community, committed to expanding and enriching opportunities for Georgia’s youth through meaningful connections with caring adults.

The merger between Florida’s and Georgia’s Affiliates is an opportunity to scale existing services and infrastructure to support youth mentoring programs across a larger region. MENTOR Florida | Georgia is supported by Executive Director Leslie Hale, a board of directors, consultants based throughout the Southeast, and direct-service providers who sit on state-specific advisory councils. Together, we are working to grow a multi-state network, develop programs, oversee training, and set direction for the Affiliate.

To read more about the history and origin of our Affiliate, download our strategic plan. MENTOR Florida | Georgia is embarking on a new strategic planning process in 2026 to envision the shared work ahead as a multi-state agency.