Judge Judy credits her honor program with creating "hope" for the next generation

Judge Judy Sheindlin's Her Honor Mentoring program celebrates 20 years of empowering young women through mentoring and financial literacy skills.

Honor Mentoring's executive director explains how the program empowers young women

Nicole Sheindlin says her relationship with her mother, Judge Judy, was the impetus for the mentoring program.

Judge Jodi Sheindlin recently announced that she is "retooling" and letting son Adam Levy take over the TV courtroom drama, but she has plenty of projects to keep her busy. His Honor mentoring program, which he helped found, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Sheindlin co-founded the program with her daughter, Nicole Sheindlin, to empower young women through mentorship and professional development. Over the past two decades, Honor Mentoring has welcomed nearly 2,500 participants. 1,500 selected coaches from 31 high schools across the region and over 1,000 coaches from 400 organizations and businesses.

He said the project "started with a dream" and all they could do was hope it would be successful. The first class consisted of only eight or nine women, while the most recent class in September numbered more than 100.

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Judge Judy with daughter Nicole Sheindlin and granddaughter Sarah Rose at the 20th anniversary event. (his honorary coach)

He said the project was "simple, but satisfying." And he was impressed and inspired by the efforts of the young participants to succeed.

"This little group gives me hope," Sheindlin said. "I think you get tired when you see so much dysfunction. I've been around so much adult dysfunction and teenage dysfunction that it makes you feel good to see young people who still have hope and dreams, who want to work hard to realize their dream that their journey on this earth is positive and fulfilling. It kind of renews your faith that probably the vast majority of people are like these young women. Who want to live productive, happy and fulfilling lives. be fruitful."

A number of former coaches have returned after starting their careers as coaches.

"We teach them to give back," she said. We care about these young women not just for themselves. But when you realize that to support others with your time and talent... they are motivated, they want to be their own engine. They want to be the engine that pulls their train."

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Participants pose for a photo at Her Honor Mentoring's 20th anniversary in Larchmont, New York.

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Sheindlin credits his stepdaughter, Nicole, as "the engine that keeps the project going."

Nicole, the current executive director of Her Honor Mentoring, said the program began as a reflection of her relationship with Judge Judy. He went to the same law school when he was a family court judge and sat on the bench with his stepmother. "The power and influence of having a professional woman, a strong woman be a mentor, a guide, a supporter," said Nicole, calling her the perfect role model for the program.

This mother-daughter duo decided they needed to empower young women together to help women gain more skills and expand their professional network.

The program connects mentors with mentors in multiple industries. During 20 weekly sessions throughout the school year, coaching teams explore topics related to education, careers, and financial literacy.

Additionally, as part of each honors experience, mentees complete four electives. These offerings include field trips, digital courses, and creative projects.

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The Her Honor Class of 2026-27 is comprised of 108 mentees and 123 mentors at 14 schools throughout Bronx, Rockland and Westchester counties.

Mentee Kiri Alvarez and her coach Liliana Mendoza said they are grateful the program helped them overcome their shyness. Alvarez, who said she was encouraged to join the program after her sister said her honor helped her be more confident and outspoken.

Mendoza was the first generation female in her family to attend college and was an Honorable Mention in 2016. She said the program helped her fight her shyness, gain people skills and find her voice. He added that it gave him specific guidance that influenced his career as a police officer in the United States.

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