Elevate Your G.A.M.E.

We are currently conducting mentoring programs at two high schools in Long Beach: Cabrillo High School and Long Beach Wilson. We have partnered with the Urban Math Collaborative program at both of these schools. The students in this program are low-performing students in the area of math. Our mentoring component of this program is motivating 50 students to pursue academic excellence and to develop positive character qualities. In our mentoring sessions students have "aha" moments, which changes their thinking and leads to a change in their academic and social behavior. Here is one example:

On March 10th, before schools were closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our program coordinator (Damian McCalman) had a mentoring session with the students at Cabrillo High School in Long Beach. The following is Mr. McCalman's description of this session on that day:

"We had an empowering time with the Urban Math Collaborative on the campus of Cabrillo High School today. I led the students through an article entitled, 'Maintaining a Teachable Attitude.' After the article the students completed the 'Am I Really Teachable' survey. Do I ask questions? was one of the questions on the survey. One of the students answered, 'I don't ask questions, because then I look dumb.' Through our discussion, this student realized that he doesn't have to fear looking dumb, because asking questions is actually the smart thing to do."

Testimonials

"This group has did a dramatic change (on me) as for what I want to do in life." (Khalil, Student)

"If I did not participate in Elevate Your G.A.M.E., I would have failed in all of my classes." (Daniel, Student)

"If I did not participate in Elevate Your G.A.M.E., I would have not become the person I am today." (James, Student)

"If I did not participate in Elevate Your G.A.M.E., I would not know how to communicate with new people." (Oscar, Student)

"If I did not participate in Elevate Your G.A.M.E., I would probably be less responsible." (Mylik, Student)

"If I did not participate in Elevate Your G.A.M.E., I would probably be still a little bit slow in math." (Donald, Student)

"If I did not participate in Elevate Your G.A.M.E., I would be less educated and not grow mentally." (Jayden, Student)

"I was part of Elevate Your G.A.M.E. for three years during high school. This program helped me develop personal, academic and professional skills that I use up to this day. Thanks to them, I graduated from UC Irvine (University of California Irvine)." (Liliana Vazquez, Former Student)

"I served as a mentor with Elevate Your GAME (Grades, Attendance, Maturity, and Empowerment) for approximately 1½ years and it was one of the most gratifying experiences of my life." (Deborah Spottsville, Volunteer)

"I was a mentor the first year Elevate Your GAME started. One of my protégés graduated from UC Irvine with a degree in psychology and is now a counselor for at risk youth. Another is now an RN (registered nurse). My 3rd protégé, who was a foster child, is now a foster parent herself. None of the young ladies would have made these accomplishments without Elevate Your GAME." (Cecilia Harrison, Board Member)