SEA now works in conjunction with schools and Boys & Girls Clubs in Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Santa Monica and South Los Angeles, as well as at Malibu Middle School, where Emily and her siblings all attended.
While Ellen recognizes that she was able to provide Emily with the resources she needed to overcome her learning struggles, she knows that many less fortunate children have entirely different stories. Those children include Sofia, who struggles with severe dyslexia, Josue, who has been battling with the emotional discovery of his father’s stomach cancer, and Armando, who, at 12 years old, is helping to raise his sister’s infant child.
Below are a few photos of students with their mentors.
Sebastian – grade 8 = Santa Monica, CA – I am proudest of my math grade….I brought it up to a B+…I have much in common with my mentor and he is fun to be around…we have a good relationship (great friends). I like the this program because it helps me and I really look forward to it.
Vanessa – grade 7 – Oxnard, CA – SEA has helped me in being more organized and also being more confident.
Santiago – grade 8 = Oxnard, CA – SEA has helped my grades and I am proud I have a 5 in science (the highest possible mark). My mentor is nice and funny.
Sabella – grade 6 – Santa Monica, CA – I used to have a C- in math and now I have an A. I got most of my grades up. My mentor helps me do my homework and study.
Lauren – grade 6 – Malibu, CA – The SEA Program is important to me because I got to meet my amazing mentor Brittany and she’s helped me get my grades up. She is always kind to me and I love working with her. She always helps me with my homework and organizing my binder.
Dina – grade 7 – South LA, CA – My mentor Yaret is a good teacher for me. She helped me a lot with my language and speaking. I always see her with a happy face. She tries her best to help me a lot. I am 100 per cent sure I will be successful.
Aaron – grade 6 – Oxnard, CA – SEA has helped me finish my homework. I am most proud of my grades and my scores. My mentor is fun and funny! I love SEA!!!
At our recent fundraiser, we had students write cards expressing their thoughts on the SEA Program and we displayed them for our guests to read. Here are a few excerpts:
Unlike regular tutoring programs, Ellen said, the SEA Program provides students with mentors, or “friends,” who engage them and assist them with their personal and emotional struggles, as well as their academic ones. SEA targets students who are at risk of failing, and works with the children to assess the hurdles in every aspect of their lives.
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