SOSMentor

SOSMentor is a non-profit, 501(c) 3 organization, established in 2000 that strives to improve the health of underserved youth and their families in the greater Los Angeles area through mentoring programs and educational support. Our mission is to decrease the alarming rate of childhood obesity and related illness by educating students in health, nutrition and fitness while motivating them to adopt a healthier lifestyle.  We also serve as a source of support for our students for college and career preparation.

The Problem

Everyday life for students at our inner city schools is rife with challenges.  While these students are bright and capable, their potential is often buried by poverty and a lack of education. To overcome these hurdles and become productive adults, they need more support and guidance than our schools are currently able to offer.

• Many students come from single-parent households, where the adult in the family typically works multiple jobs and long hours, and has no choice but to leave their children alone when they are not in school.

• Safe, close and affordable childcare is not available. When younger children are sick, often older students have to stay home to take care of siblings which contributes to poor attendance in school.

• The inner city schools have the highest drop-out rates – some as high as 50%. 

• Many neighborhoods do not have convenient supermarkets or green grocers.  Food is purchased at convenience stores, fast food restaurants and small neighborhood markets. Additionally, parks and safe areas to play are limited.  Because of certain cultural factors and the lack of information about nutrition and exercise, childhood obesity and cases of early-onset diabetes are climbing at an alarming rate.  These serious problems are not only affecting the well-being of our youth, but have also created a significant burden on our health care system.

• While statistics show that some crime in Los Angeles has been steadily declining, gangs, drugs, alcohol abuse, and racial violence often plague crowded, low-income areas. Urban areas of Los Angeles have the highest number of substantiated child abuse and neglect referrals, as well as the highest number of births to teen mothers.

At SOSMentor, we have studied these problems and are committed to improving the condition of life for underserved students through mentoring experiences and educational programs.  We teach our students important life skills that provide opportunities for growth, achievement, leadership, and success. We believe that a critical component of revitalizing communities is mentoring youth to help them lead healthy lives while pursuing a career and/or higher education.

_{*City of Los Angeles 2005 – 2006 Children, Youth, and Families Budget and Data Report, prepared by Commission for Children, Youth and Their Families}

Our Solution

This innovative, non-profit foundation is the result of work by dedicated people with extensive experience in teaching and curriculum development. Our founders have created award-winning mentoring programs that serve as models in school districts throughout the United States. Partnering with community leaders, businesses, medical and education professionals, SOSMentor addresses the needs of inner city students that are typically not met elsewhere.

At SOSMentor, our approach to improving the quality of life for our students is through “train the trainer” mentoring.  In our program, caring adults take a personal interest in a child – a proven method that works to increase grades, reduce violence and substance abuse, lower the rates of teen pregnancies, while increasing the number of high school graduates and college admissions. Mentored older students then become mentors themselves to younger students and their families, reinforcing the lessons they have learned while spreading positive messages throughout the community.

Our current focus at SOSMentor is addressing the alarming rates of obesity and other related illnesses that are prevalent in low-income communities.  Through our ShapeUp program, we provide our students with “train the trainer” mentoring in health, nutrition and fitness so that they are able to learn the necessary skills to lead healthy and successful lives.