Marsha Elliott is a support Specialist for the Office of Safety and Youth Development whose career has focused on helping high risk students and their families to build successful lives through the power of education, character development and a supportive community. She draws upon her extensive background in social work to organize, and co-facilitate various professional development opportunities in Social Emotional Learning as well as the NYS Dignity Act. She is the point person providing support for schools implementing the Mentoring for Real Program, an outgrowth of the Young Men’s Initiative, which addresses the achievement gap with young men of color.