All children have the potential to succeed in life and contribute to society. However, not all children get the support they need to thrive.The word "mentor" comes from the Greek for "steadfast" and "enduring." Mentoring is a one-to-one or group relationship that adults develop with one or more young people to help them develop and succeed.

We provide mentoring to female youth between the ages of 13 - 18 within the public school systems. During the mentoring sessions, topics such as: respect, education, sex education (self-respect), career choices, personal issues, community issues, etc., are discussed. There are one-on-one mentoring sessions offered to whomever request it.

Consider the many benefits mentoring offers, including:

• Improving self-esteem
• Keeping young people in school
• Helping improve academic skills
• Leading young people to resources they might not find on their own
• Providing support for new behaviors, attitudes and ambitions
• Increasing young people's ability to seek and keep jobs
• Enhancing parenting skills

Research supports these positive benefits in mentoring relationships; A Procter & Gamble study showed that of 133 Cincinnati students with mentors

• All stayed in school, and their average attendance improved.
• Grade point averages were almost half a unit higher.
• Seniors were almost three times more likely to go to college.
• More trusting of parents or guardians and less likely to lie to them.

Of 400 high school students with mentors who participated in a Louis Harris poll:

• 73 percent said mentors helped them raise their goals and expectations.
• 87 percent went to college or planned to attend college within a year of graduation.
• 59 percent improved their grades.
• 87 percent said they felt some benefit from their mentoring relationship.

A Terry Williams and William Kornblum study of 900 children concluded that having an adult mentor was the most significant factor in keeping teenagers off the streets.

Researchers from Columbia University and the University of Massachusetts found that young people who overcome poverty to reach college often share a common bond: a mentor or several mentors.

Prevention Education

Abstinence first, Be faithful and Correct and Consistent Condom Use, in that order — are effective strategies to protect against sexually-transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies.

The sex education program promotes sexual abstinence and mutual fidelity with a non-infected partner as the only 100% effective methods. It is important to emphasize, however, that abstinence means consistent abstinence, not occasional abstinence, and that mutual fidelity only works if both partners are faithful and uninfected. Some spouses practice mutual fidelity, but their partner does not. In this context, mutual fidelity is not effective.

We live in an imperfect world in which some people, for many reasons, do not practice abstinence or mutual fidelity. These people, if they are sexually active, must use condoms to protect themselves. Condoms, like seat belts, are not 100% effective, but they have been proven beyond any doubt to be highly effective when used consistently and correctly. Most problems with condoms are the result of inconsistent and incorrect use.

Education and communication campaigns are based on the belief that young adults and other vulnerable target groups deserve to have all the facts so that they can make informed decisions regarding their reproductive health.

Fine Arts/Entertainment Connection

Fine Arts & Entertainment has always been a unifying force, a universal language that connects people, culture and ideas. For the 13 million "at-risk" young people in this country, connecting with a mentor, some through fine arts/entertainment, may mean the difference between a tough life on the streets and a successful future.

Many fine arts/entertainment industry professionals understand the powerful impact of a mentor, and have themselves been mentored sometime during their formative and/or professional years. But a lot of kids and would-be professionals don't have adults in their lives who can provide the guidance to help them achieve success professionally or in life. These are the young people who are “at risk” and desperately need a mentor for guidance in developing positive life strategies. The unique communication that fine arts/entertainment affords makes it possible to overcome barriers of class and culture, providing both mentor and mentored with a rewarding experience.

Internship Placement Program

Annually, we offer youth an opportunity to work within various areas of the fine arts/entertainment industry. Students are offered a paid internship on behalf of the Foundation and the opportunity and experience to work with:
• Record companies
• Television stations
• News/broadcasting stations
• Sport organizations (NFL, WNBA, NBL, etc.)
• Production companies
• Dance studios
• Theater companies
• Entertainment management companies
• Public relations and marketing firms

These opportunities are offered to youth between the ages of 16 to 20 whom have demonstrated self-respect, leadership within their community, above average scholastic achievement and a high level of maturity.

Scholarship Program

Coming Soon!