IMPACT Coalition

The Improving Mentor Practices and Communication Techniques (IMPACT) Coalition is a mentoring and educational development organization that expands opportunities for urban students, schools and organizational partners by providing debate training, literacy assistance, curricula, and mentoring services to develop informed, concerned citizens. IMPACT advocates debate as a key to success in building healthier communities and tomorrow's leaders.

Debate has been shown to increase literacy rates in a single year by 25% according to a national study. Furthermore, students participating in debate are 300% less likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors (teen pregnancy, drugs and school violence) than non-debating peers.

Since inception, IMPACT has started debate programs at 119 schools in NYC and expanded debate services at 48 other institutions. Over 5000 students and 300 teachers have been introduced to the power of debate.