Mission Statement
Our goal in the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) is to better the community of the greater Los Angeles area by improving the lives of children through personal relationships with UCLA mentors. We provide elementary school students with a consistent role model to facilitate educational success and improve self-esteem and future aspirations. 
With the help of this program, at-risk students are able to have one-on-one time with college students, an opportunity which has produced results commended by both teachers and parents alike.
Program Summary
The Youth Empowerment Program is a mentoring organization at Stoner Ave. Elementary school in Culver City. We work with the same 4th or 5th grader for at least a year, often two. Mentors begin each visit with a worksheet provided for them with questions to help get to know the mentee. Mentors may then choose what activity they do with their mentee based on the needs of the child. This can range from homework help to playing kickball or tennis to hanging out and talking. Our kids are chosen for the program based on academic need, academic drive, or personal need. We pride ourselves on providing these kids with consistent role models and catering to the individual needs of each child.
History & Background
The Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) began in December 2007 through the efforts of Dr. Ryan Coller, Dr. Rashmi Shetgiri, and 7 UCLA SCOPE volunteers. These devoted individuals worked together to create an effective program at Stoner Avenue Elementary. This school was chosen in particular because its California Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) results showed that 31% or more of its students from 3rd to 5th grade perform below average for language arts. The demographics of the students at Stoner Elementary School consist of students from low-income, underprivileged, minority, project communities in Culver City.
One-on-one mentorship relationships were established between UCLA undergraduates and at-risk 4th-5th graders, where each mentor would visit their paired mentee weekly. Mentoring was centered around encouraging and refining academic, social, and mental aspects of the student’s life. Results have shown improved child health through increases in academic performance, feelings of self-worth and perceived social acceptance, and decreases in risk behaviors such as alcohol, tobacco use, and violence.
YEP has expanded to around 25 UCLA SCOPE volunteers per year, working with both 4th and 5th graders and their teachers to help achieve their goals. Mentors and mentees meet weekly for at least one hour. Each meeting may consist of a variety of healthy, confidence-building activities such as reading, physical activities outside on the playground, and conversation. Mentors are there to provide their mentees with anything they may need to improve their overall health and success. This may mean someone to help them with their schoolwork, someone to encourage them to be active, or someone to talk to.
Questions?
For more information, feel free to contact yep.scope@gmail.com!
Ucla Scope 