The TEAK Fellowship

The TEAK Fellowship The TEAK Fellowship believes that motivation and potential, not economic circumstances, should determine a student’s future. In 2005, Lynn D.

TEAK unlocks access to outstanding education and transformative experiences for exceptional NYC students, who use these opportunities to change their lives and the world around them. TEAK is a free program that helps talented students from low-income families achieve their potential. Through intensive after school and summer classes, TEAK prepares middle school students to get into the nation’s mo

st selective high schools and colleges. TEAK’s strong support system ensures that students thrive in their independent (day and boarding) high schools and graduate from college, ready to pursue their professional goals and positively impact the world. In 1998, Justine Stamen Arrillaga founded The TEAK Fellowship in memory of DeWitt White (1981 – 1997) and Teak Dyer (1970 – 1988), two people close to her whose lives were tragically cut short. Wanting to provide other young people with the opportunity for a brighter future, she created a program to help aspiring students use education to overcome economic hardships and achieve their potential. Starting with a pioneer class of 22 seventh grade students, Justine directed TEAK and managed its growth for eight years. Sorensen succeeded Justine as TEAK’s Executive Director, and in 2015, John F. Green became TEAK’s third Executive Director. Starting with the first cohort, 100 percent of TEAK Fellows have been accepted into top independent, public, and parochial high schools. Every single Fellow has matriculated to 4-year colleges; of these, 89 percent have entered top tier schools, including an average 26 percent into the Ivy League each year. Of the students who have completed the Fellowship, 88 percent are college graduates and leaders in multiple professions. While continuing its core work of preparing students to apply to and succeed at top high schools and colleges, TEAK has expanded its programming over the course of its history to better achieve and build upon these goals. In 2008, TEAK celebrated its first class of college graduates and established an Alumni Program to equip alumni with the tools and resources necessary for college success and professional advancement. In 2012, TEAK shifted the program’s entry point from 7th grade to 6th grade to increase student preparation prior to entering their rigorous high schools. Today, TEAK remains an enduring yet innovative program, opening doors to excellent educational opportunities and preparing students to succeed and lead in their schools, professions, and communities.

05/04/2026

Over spring break, TEAK middle and high school Fellows dove into our Power Series Career Workshops. Fellows visited Columbia Business School for a student panel and attended an interactive Career Power Day at Harvest Partners with an amazing lineup of professionals in music, law, content creation, and finance. We are grateful to our partners and volunteers for opening doors and sharing their journeys! 💼

05/01/2026

We’re proud to share TEAK’s 2025 Annual Report, which showcases our Fellows’ incredible achievements and the generosity that makes it all possible. Head to the link below for a look at what we accomplished together in 2025!

https://www.flipsnack.com/teakfellowship/the-teak-fellowship-2025-annual-report

04/22/2026

Looking to make a meaningful impact? 💜

TEAK is seeking NYC-based mentors to support our newest cohort of Fellows starting Fall 2026! This is a unique opportunity to build a meaningful connection with a bright and motivated student, serving as a role model, advocate, and trusted supporter along their journey.

Interested? Join an upcoming virtual info session to learn more.

🔗 teakfellowship.org/mentor-program/

04/20/2026

Join us June 17th ✨ at Tribeca Rooftop for TEAK’s Midsummer Night Benefit! 🌆 Cocktails, food, music, NYC rooftop views, and amazing raffle prizes all in support of TEAK Fellows 💜

Grab your tickets at donate.teakfellowship.org/midsummer26

02/01/2026

🎂 TEAK turns 28 today!

On February 1, 1998, The TEAK Fellowship opened its doors to 22 NYC seventh graders. Twenty-eight years later, our free, 10-year, life-changing program has supported 750+ students, guiding them from middle school through college and into meaningful careers.

Through rigorous academic enrichment, leadership and career development, cultural experiences, and long-term mentorship, TEAK doesn’t just open doors, we walk alongside our Fellows every step of the way as they become confident leaders and changemakers.

We’re endlessly grateful to our Fellows, Alumni, supporters, and friends. Thank you for believing in TEAK and in the power of transformational opportunity since 1998. Here’s to what’s ahead! 💜

01/30/2026

January is , a time to celebrate our TEAK Mentors and the crucial role they play in our program. Every TEAK Fellow is paired with a Middle School Mentor in 7th grade and a Professional Coach in College who supports them as they navigate their educational, personal, and professional journeys. Our volunteer mentors build meaningful and enduring relationships that have a lasting impact. Whether visiting a museum together, reviewing a resume, or offering networking guidance, mentorship plays a vital role in TEAK Fellows’ success. To all our current and former Mentors, we thank you for the difference you make!

To learn more about becoming a TEAK Mentor, visit http://teakfellowship.org/get-involved.

01/16/2026

Thank you to all the TEAK alumni who joined us at our Winter Warmup social last week! It was amazing to reconnect with alumni from Classes 2 through 18, share stories, and celebrate the start of a new year.

01/15/2026

TEAK pairs each College Fellow with a Professional Coach Mentor in their field of interest to support them as they navigate their college and career journeys. Mentors support Fellows in exploring career interests and possibilities, building professional skills, and expanding their professional networks.

Last week, we introduced our newest cohort of Mentor-Mentee pairs at our Professional Coach Match Day!

We are thrilled to have coaches joining us from Apollo, BlackRock, Bloomberg, Blue Owl, CHANEL, CLEAR, Evercore, FTI Consulting, General Atlantic, Google, Harvest Partners, Hg Capital, IBM, KKR, Microsoft, New Holland Capital, Ropes & Gray, TD Securities, Tradeweb, Wells Fargo, and more. We are excited to see these impactful relationships develop!

12/24/2025

Happy Holidays to our TEAK family! Wishing you happiness and cheer this holiday season and all the best in 2026.

12/23/2025

We’re thrilled to close out the year with exciting news for our high school seniors! Members of TEAK’s 12th grade class have earned early admission to an incredible lineup of colleges and universities, including Barnard, Brown, Cornell, Haverford, NYU, Penn and more. We couldn’t be prouder of TEAK Class 23 and look forward to celebrating their continued success in 2026 and beyond.

Congratulations, TEAK Class 23!

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Location

New York

Telephone

+12122886678

Website

http://www.teakfellowship.org/

Address

16 W 22nd Street, 3rd FL
New York, NY
10010

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	9am - 6pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	9am - 6pm
Friday	9am - 6pm