Jamaica say you will...mentor!

Delegation from Jamaica visits YMC to learn about our unique approach!

The International Visitors Council of Los Angeles International Visitor Leadership Program of professional and cultural exchanges contacted us about a select group of educators from Jamaica who wanted to visit to learn about our approach to mentoring and youth transformation.

When we asked why they chose Youth Mentoring Connection, they replied that people at the State Dept. told them about our most innovative approach.  They were impressed with our soulful processes and results: graduation rates, success reducing gang involvement, mentor support and mentor testimonials about how the experience changed their life as well as their mentee. 

So that makes two groups from China, one from Peru, several from around the US and now Jamaica that have studied our methodology!

Slang Pictionary at CHLA Hollywood

What better way to spend an afternoon than hanging out with our CHLA Hollywood family? Starting matches off with a generational exchange activity where both mentor and mentee share their own middle school experiences, gave each individual some insight as to how similar but different each experience can be... Later, matches were grouped together to form three teams for the ultimate challenge, "Slang Pictionary." Phrases like "Bieber Fever" and "Flower Child" were nothing less that comical relief for the entire group when having to illustrate them.

Mentee Information & Training Session

Walking into a room full of students after-school on a Friday is something I definitely didn't expect... Seeing smiles on those faces inside the room seemed to be preposterous! Thanks to our wonderful liaison Mr. Dean, we were able to host a Mentee Training and Information Session last week at Los Angeles Trade Technical College with students from the Early College Academy!

UOFA Screening on Aug. 24th, 2013

This screening was another opportunity for our mentees, mentors and supportive community to enjoy the films our youth had made this year at the Urban Oasis Film Academy. Those who attended had an opportunity to watch the films and get to know the stories behind the filmmakers and their different motivations to make these films. The audience also heard how the film-making process positively impacted their lives! Enjoy!