Power 4 Youth

Power 4 Youth has been a vital presence in the community since 1999. Power 4 Youth provides one-on-one academic mentoring to middle and high school students from throughout the Long Beach area. Over 450 at-risk, primarily low-income students have had their lives impacted through Power 4 Youth one-on-one mentoring relationships.

MISSION STATEMENT “Making the difference in the lives of at-risk students through caring, consistent mentoring relationships” We believe that all youth deserve individual guidance from a caring, knowledgeable adult to help them achieve their potential.

WHAT WE DO The goal of Power 4 Youth is to help middle and high school youth through addressing the broad issues that are keeping them from doing their best. Mentors provide academic support, encourage achievement, and connect youth with caring adults. The program is available to all students. Student/Mentor pairs meet weekly for a minimum of one year at supervised locations throughout the area, with the average relationship lasting 2½ years, and many last into the student’s adulthood. Mentors help the students to be prepared to be successful adults. Historically, our outcomes have achieved this: -2/3 of the students improve or maintain their grades after participating in the program -90% of the youth show improvement in reading through participating in Power4Youth. -Besides improving grades and literacy skills, students work on college readiness, building social skills, and increasing community engagement.