Essex-based College For Every Student brought its holiday festivities to New York City. A group of 85 young professionals recently gathered for the first “Cocktails For College” fundraiser to support College For Every Student. These young professionals are also donating their time to mentor through the organization’s program.

Rick Dalton, CEO and president of College For Every Student, said: “Mentors have changed life trajectories for nearly 100,000 of the young people we’ve helped so far, and this practice is a key aspect of the partnerships we continue to form to advance our goal over the next decade — helping one million more youth get to and through college, ready for 21st-century careers.”