Momentum Mentor program starting in South Lake Tahoe - mentors needed

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As the locally-created and produced documentary "Momentum" premiers nationally on PBS, a youth mentorship program is being launched in South Lake Tahoe.

The documentary, directed and produced by local Michelle Aguilar, tells the inspirational story of resiliency and follows local coach Ryan Wallace and fighter Chris "Coco" Cocores. See a film clip here.

As a mentor, the Marcela Foundation will match volunteers with a student who has self-identified a personal development goal. Then they will match the personal expertise with what the student would like to achieve. Mentors and students will meet in 3-4 group sessions over the course of a few months where mentors will help the student curate a personal development plan.

A Momentum Mentors informational meeting will be held on November 29 at 6 p.m. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please join them at this informational meeting! RSVP here

The tentative sessions:

Session 1: Create a SMART goal (January 2024)
Session 2: Develop an Action Plan (January/February 2024)
Session 3: Taking first steps toward the goal (Feb/March 2024)
Session 4: Assess (March/April 2024)

This is a Pilot Program

This is a pilot program so you will also be helping organizers develop their curriculum and strategy, which they hope to be able to replicate along with the national release of Momentum Film in late 2024.

There are currently 22 Mt. Tallac students who have self-identified a goal and are interested in being paired with a mentor. This is a great opportunity to make a difference in a young person's life.

Examples of goals that some students have already set:

- Go to college
- Learn how to mountain climb
- Become a better person
- Learn how to be a mechanic
- Learn how to cook

All mentors will have to become certified as Level 2 volunteers through the Lake Tahoe Unified School District, which includes fingerprinting. If you know that you want to be a part of this program, it is recommended you begin this process as soon as possible. Please email them for the documents (melissa@marcellafoundation.org).