Teaming Up for Positive Choices

The sixth and seventh graders at Richard Merkin Middle School were discussing a compelling question: If you got a million dollars and could not spend it on yourself, what would you do?

The lively conversation is part of LA Team Mentoring (LATM), a new after-school program at Merkin Middle School aimed at helping at-risk middle school students recognize and reach their full potential. Students are teamed into small groups with adult mentors - school staff members, college students from USC and Mount St. Mary’s College, and community volunteers - for the weekly sessions. “Mentor relationships for students who live in challenging urban neighborhoods can be crucial in the face of gang influences, drug use, or drop outs,” says William Figueroa, Director of Programs for LA Team Mentoring.  “Team Mentoring creates those connections.”

LATM has more than fifteen years  experience in helping students to better cope with adversity in their lives and to gain life skills for the future. “Kids really want to talk,” says Mr. Figueroa. Each session creates opportunities to discuss issues ranging from anger management to building empathy for others to how to begin to improve communications skills.  More than 90 Merkin students are part of LATM, which has programs in thirteen other Los Angeles schools. “This is a time when our kids can learn how to make positive choices in their lives. Experience shows us that team mentoring can do that,” says Merkin Principal Donna Jacobson. “I’m thrilled that we can bring the program to our campus.”