Programs and Projects

Teen Driver Safety – Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. Over 5,000 teenagers die in crashes every year. The main reason - driver error. Los Angeles CARES Mentoring Movement will launch in the fall of 2011 a hands on driver simulator project aimed at helping young adult drivers with anticipating varying driving conditions and teach about the benefits of safe and responsible driving. This program is sponsored in part by State Farm.

PEN OR PENCIL™ - This unique program blends history, social studies, civic education, economic, and service learning standards into an experiential learning framework to inspire critical thinking, skill development, and activism by youth to choose the road away from prison and jail and towards a quality education. Through a unique partnership with CARES, it will also incorporate Verizon’s comprehensive computer based teaching and learning resource program, Thinkfinity, into the curriculum to provide the youth with additional educational resources. This program is sponsored in part by Verizon Foundation, Pen or Pencil, and Southern California Edison.

College Application Essay Writing Workshop – Facilitator, Shaun-Teka Joyner, specializes in guiding high school students on their journey toward college admissions by leading them through all aspects of the college application essay writing process. Upon completion of the course, students will have written a polished essay that highlights their passions, character, and convictions, and demonstrates how they will positively contribute to a college community. This program is sponsored in part by Regalettes, Inc.

Etiquette and Self Esteem – Legacy Ladies will provide group mentoring workshops designed to enhance academic, social, cultural and civic awareness and promote self-confidence, poise and esteem among all participants. Workshops will be provided to high school aged youth, covering topics such as: confidence & character building, dress codes for success, speech and diction, and the art of introductions. This program is sponsored in part by Legacy Ladies, Regalettes, and Verizon.

Summer Internship – This six week internship will focus on the use of technology to help students prepare for college while balancing the need to work, supporting themselves, and gaining work experience. This program addresses the fact that many students must work while attending college.
The student will spend a minimum of 10 hours per week in the Los Angeles CARES office and will be provided a weekly list of tasks and projects to be completed on the job. The expectation is that the student will have set hours to report, deadlines on projects and writing assignments. The student will report to the Programs Director who will evaluate the program at the end of the six weeks. The student will be compensated at the end of the internship. This program is sponsored in part by GlaxoSmithKline.

Los Angeles CARES Arts Initiative:

Stand Up and Dance – As a component of the Los Angeles CARES Arts Initiative, the dance program will be facilitated by Dawn Comer. This program provides dance history and instruction at an introductory and intermediate level. It also encourages youth to understand the connection between the arts and science. The use of dance as a means to inspire academic success as well as an outlet of expression encourages them to exercise, build social skills, self-esteem, and have lots of fun.

Music Appreciation and Culture – Facilitated by Linda Morgan, this Los Angeles CARES Arts Initiative program will introduce young people to the history, evolution, and relevance of music in the world. Focusing on jazz and blues in American culture, students will track this genre from its beginning all the way to some of the other current contemporary musical genres of today. Through fun and interactive workshops, students will learn all about music in a group mentoring setting. This program is sponsored in part by Verizon.

Programs/Projects in Development

  • The Coin Bank Project
  • Job Readiness and Trades

Upcoming Programs

  • Mentors Orientation – September 2011
  • Legacy Ladies Etiquette and Self Esteem Program – September 2011
  • College Application Essay Writing Workshop – October 2011
  • Stand Up and Dance Program – October 2011
  • Taste of Soul Community Awareness and Recruitment Event – October 2011
  • Holiday Family Day – November 2011
  • Mentor Sunday – January 2012