WELCOME TO THE ENLIGHTENED MENTOR PROJECT
The Enlightened Mentor Project (aka “TEM) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that empowers Black teenagers and young adults through mentoring and academic achievement. We rely heavily on donations from individuals and like-hearted organizations to enable the life-changing programs and services we offer. Please click the ‘Donate Now’ button to provide your generous donation today, and by doing so, help us empower a young man’s life!
Our Mission
The Enlightened Mentor Project serves to empower Black male youths ages 12-23 (a.k.a. “Champions”) to overcome the environmental and societal risk factors that limit their potential, and help them achieve academic success, develop critical life skills, and pursue appropriate education, career, and life development. We empower them to pursue extraordinary outcomes and realize their dreams thru the provision of educational, career, athletic, and life resources that are otherwise unavailable to them.
Our mentees (aka “Champions”) are Black youth and young adults ages 12 – 23 living in the greater LA area. They are generally subjected to suboptimal conditions such as violence, drug use, gang activity, low income/poverty, broken homes, foster care, and other socio-economic risk factors—all of which influence them to fall short of their potential. Our goal is to change the narratives our Champions hear, and instead, provide them with encouragement and enlightenment that empower them to maximize their full potential.
Our Audience
OUR APPROACH
To achieve our mission, we deliver a thoughtful and deliberate blend of mentorship, academic empowerment, and life skills development that prepare our Champions to take control of their life, pursue excellence, and realize extraordinary life outcomes.
One of the greatest values of MENTORS is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and help them navigate a course to their destination.
LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
We provide our Champions with a unique combination of life skills training and sports storytelling designed to help them find their purpose, improve access to opportunity and education, and instill the confidence they need to achieve greatness. Our life skills workshops are typically delivered cohort-style and intended to promote brotherhood among our Champions.
ACADEMIC & COLLEGE PREPARATION
We provide academic tutoring services for our Champions aimed at improving their overall academic capability and performance. Additionally, we provide college preparation services—including SAT/ACT prep and college tours—designed to help our Champions select, enroll, and attend the best possible colleges and universities.
MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS
We provide 1-on-1 and group mentoring designed to provide our Champions with the guidance, direction, wisdom, knowledge, and skills they need to matriculate into strong and responsible manhood.
Our programming is designed to help our Champions: (1) Establish & maintain overall health & well-being; (2) Achieve superior academic performance and establish a path to college; (3) Achieve gainful employment; (4) Establish the ability to live & thrive independently; and (5) Establish and maintain healthy relationships.
"Quote of the Week"
This quote emphasizes the value of hard work, patience, and steady progress in achieving greatness. It suggests that true success comes from persistent effort and a commitment to doing things the right way, rather than looking for easy or quick solutions. The metaphor of climbing the mountain highlights that reaching the summit requires taking deliberate steps, overcoming challenges, and building the skills and strength needed along the way. It's a reminder that lasting success is earned through dedication and perseverance, not by cutting corners or rushing the process.
Program Spotlight
VOTER EDUCATION WORKSHOP
This workshop will prepare our Champions and their family to responsibly participate in the upcoming November elections. We will provide our Champions with an immersive experience that will teach them important aspects of the modern-day voting process.
For more information about this workshop, please contact us at: [email protected]!
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
The month of May was Mental Health Awareness month and TEM launched a 5-workshop series for our Champions to help them: (1) Engage in conversations about their mental health; (2) Dispel stigmas about mental health; (3) Associate mental wellness with strong manhood; (4) Acquire the skills & tools necessary to successfully manage their mental health; and (5) Create a "safe space" and sense of community where productive conversations are always possible!
FINANCIAL LITERACY
On September 28, 2024 we will convene the last of a 3-part series on Financial Literacy. This will be an immersive experience for our Champions where we utilize real-world scenarios that will stimulate critical thinking towards understanding how to create and manage a budget in today's economy. Our unique approach is designed to ensure Champions develop the financial literacy necessary to become fiscally responsible adults. This session will be presented by our partners at City National Bank.
TEM MENTORS' RETREAT
The TEM Mentors joined together to discuss strategies and approaches that will improve our mentorship programs. It was an enlightening day of discussion, fellowship, and productivity!
Ready to Join Our Team?
If you would like to receive Mentorship, please click the ‘I Want to be Mentored’ button to fill out our CHAMPION Interest Form.
If you would like to be a MENTOR on our team, please click the ‘I Want to be a MENTOR’ button to fill out our MENTOR Interest Form.
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