Adult/Child Mentoring Programs

The program provides youth services in designated areas of the City of Los Angeles. Services include an adult/child mentoring program for middle school youth, ages 11 through 14. The program is restricted to students of schools that serve high-risk neighborhoods: Burroughs Middle School, in Los Angeles; Webster Middle School in Los Angeles; Fleming Middle School, in Lomita; Johhnie Cochran Middle School, in the Wilshire District; Bethune Middle School in Los Angeles; Peary Middle School, in Gardena; KIPP Sol in East Los Angeles; James Madison Middle School, in North Hollywood; Julian Nava Learning Academy in Los Angeles; Richard Merkin Middle School, in Los Angeles; and Pacoima Middle School in Pacoima.

The "TeamWorks" program matches youth with a college-age volunteer, a teacher, and a working adult volunteer from the community. Structured activities include team building, leadership development, and community service. The regular meetings help the youth develop a sense of trust and a relationship with their adult team leaders. Leadership is developed through listening skills, shared facilitation of meetings, and group work on issues such as conflict, criticism and failure.

Program participants create their own community service programs, which may include graffiti removal, feeding the homeless or visiting the elderly. The groups also participate in field trips and activity days.