our programs
Whistle While
You Work
is the flagship leadership and workforce-development program of GKNY Mentor Program.
The program uses officiating, sports responsibility, and real-time decision-making to teach leadership,
accountability, communication, and professionalism. Participants are placed in roles of responsibility
where decisions matter and actions have impact.
WWYW is not just about officiating — it is about learning how to lead under pressure, communicate
clearly, manage conflict, and take ownership of decisions.
We Serve
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Youth (ages 5–18)
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Young adults (18–30)
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Seniors (50+)
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Inclusive and neurodiverse participants
Core Outcomes
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Leadership under pressure
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Clear communication
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Accountability and responsibility
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Conflict resolution
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Workforce-ready skills
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Confidence and professionalism
Whistle While You Work creates a direct pathway from mentorship to leadership to opportunity.
School-Based Leadership Enrichment
What it is: A structured enrichment program delivered in school/community settings that teaches leadership through real-life scenarios and rules-based learning.
What participants learn:
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Conflict resolution: how to de-escalate, listen, and respond with control
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Communication: how to speak up, take feedback, and handle disagreements
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Decision-making: how to make choices under pressure and own outcomes
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Accountability: expectations, consequences, and consistency
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Rules & structure: applying standards across school, home, and community
How it looks in practice:
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Scenario-based discussions (“what would you do if…”)
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Group decision drills and leadership roles
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Rules/standards lessons translated into everyday life
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Reflection + practical takeaways students can use immediately
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A clear pathway into advanced leadership/workforce components
What it is: A workforce pathway where participants learn officiating, professionalism, communication under pressure, and leadership — with real-world performance expectations.
Documented operations & outcomes:
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15+ referees certified (past 3 years)
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28 active high school and college officials currently overseen
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Annual assignment of:
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150+ college-level games
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50+ high school games
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300+ AAU/men’s league games
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Participants earn experience that translates to work: punctuality, professionalism, communication, evaluation, accountability.
Workforce & Referee Development (18+)
STEM Forward Academy
STEM is not just academics — it’s access. Many students in urban communities don’t get consistent exposure to hands-on STEM, career pathways, or the confidence to see themselves in technical spaces. STEM Forward is designed to close that gap with a program that is engaging, structured, and connected to real life.
What the Program Includes
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Hands-on STEM projects (build, test, solve, present)
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Coding/technology exposure (age-appropriate)
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Engineering and design challenges
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Career awareness: “who does this for a living?”
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Physical activity + nutrition education to support focus, energy, and healthy habits
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Leadership development: communication, teamwork, and presentation skills
STEM Forward Girls Academy
A girls-first STEM program designed to build confidence, exposure, and skill development through hands-on learning and leadership.
The program team is predominantly women and people of color, supporting representation and culturally responsive instruction.
STEM Forward boys Academy
A boys-first STEM program emphasizing hands-on learning, teamwork, discipline, and problem-solving—paired with wellness and leadership to support school engagement and future pathways.
GKNY Mentor League
Leadership & Civic Engagement Across Generations
Why This Program
Young adults benefit from consistent access to adults who can deliver real guidance — and seniors benefit from being positioned as active contributors and leaders. This program creates structured spaces for both.
How it works:
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Young adults (18–30) and seniors (50+) participate in structured programming
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Workshops are tied to participation expectations (accountability model)
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Seniors and community leaders lead discussions that are practical, not performative
What the Program Includes
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66 new registered voters in one year
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Workforce and college-readiness exposure
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Some participants move into referee/officiating pathways (leadership pipeline)
Basketball is the engagement tool. Leadership and accountability are the program.
Neurodiverse Program
Structured Support for Neurodiverse Youth
Why This Program
Neurodiverse youth often need programs built around structure, routine, sensory awareness, communication support, and patient instruction — not “one-size-fits-all” activities.
What we’ve done:
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Three summers of dedicated neurodiverse programming/camps
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Programming supports communication, routine, emotional regulation, and social development
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Participants are supported in connecting to broader GKNY opportunities when appropriate