MENTORSHIP

Plant-Powered Lifestyle Mentorship

Now that you've heard about the power of whole food, plant-based nutrition, how can you get started? Some people are ready to jump into new adventures in food and lifestyle on their own, but others need a helping hand.

Our Plant-Powered Lifestyle Mentorship program is a matching service to help you initiate and sustain diet and lifestyle change. We connect knowledgeable volunteers who serve as informal mentors and guides with those who are new to, or struggling with, whole food, plant-based nutrition. *During COVID-19 social distancing measures, all mentorship is virtual until further notice.* Mentorship lasts for one month but can be extended.

Separately, anyone who enrolls in one of our Jumpstart programs or class series may also receive a mentor match, and we occasionally offer public educational programs that include group mentorship.
WHO ARE PLANT-POWERED MENTORS?
Mentors are individuals who already know how to structure their lives and their kitchens around whole plant foods. They have successfully made the transition to a health-promoting lifestyle and know tips and tricks from personal experience that they can share with others. While they may not personally choose to follow all the dietary guidelines to the letter, they know why each component is important and know how to build meals that are low in fat, avoid animal products, and dramatically reduce or eliminate refined plant products from their daily meals. Some excel at making delicious, complicated dishes while others know all the shortcuts for healthy, quick meals. Some live with family members who may not follow their lead and understand challenging family dynamics at home. Some know how to approach feeding children or elderly relatives. All know how to navigate grocery shopping, picking quality produce, reading nutrition labels, and dining out. Some have taken on more advanced study of whole food, plant-based nutrition. Many have healed themselves from significant diseases. All PPMNY Lifestyle Mentors want to “pass the health” to others because the short-term and long-term rewards of this lifestyle are so great.
​HOW CAN I GET STARTED?
If you'd like to be matched with a mentor or become a mentor yourself:
  1. Read our Plant-Powered Lifestyle Mentorship program overview here!
  2. Commit to a one-month relationship, and you'll have the option to continue for another 1-2 months to maximize the experience and the chances of success.
  3. Complete an intake form at the buttons below so we can learn more about you and make a good-fit match. At the end of the form, you'll complete a simple waiver, indicating that you understand that mentorship is about lifestyle support. It's not a health coaching or medical program. (If you're on medication, you'll have to talk to your doctor first.)
Please note that the intake process may include a brief interview with our mentorship coordinator.
Questions? Reach out to our Lifestyle Mentorship Coordinator Melissa Mapes for further details. ​
Plant Powered Metro New York empowers people to find better health and overcome chronic disease through whole food, plant-based nutrition. We offer evidence-based education, resources, and support to create community and inspire change throughout the New York metropolitan area. PPMNY is a fiscally-sponsored project of the Center for Transformative Action, a 501(c)(3) organization in Ithaca, NY.