THE RIVIERA MENTORSHIP PROJECT
Santa Barbara, CA
Local peer tutoring and role modeling with a focus on well-being and authenticity.
Everyone deserves a social, emotional, and academic support network. Our goal is to foster genuine mentor-based connections between devoted high school students and younger middle school/elementary students in order to promote kids’ overall success with an emphasis on mental health. Importantly: we are almost entirely high school student ran AND on a volunteer basis (No Cost)!
The Riviera Mentorship Project is a unique initiative aimed at nurturing student education and interpersonal health through mentor-based relationships among students. This project focuses on bringing together students from different backgrounds and academic levels by creating both one-on-one dynamics and group environments in which students can learn from one another and benefit from a sense of community. The program is designed to match younger students with mentors who share similar interests and aspirations, providing a valuable opportunity for students to receive guidance in achieving their goals. We strive to empower the perspectives of teens in educational and mental health contexts through a leadership platform that is built by young adults, run by young adults, and in service of younger students.
Embracing the intersection of friendship and education.
Our Mission
While it's clear that the impacts of positive, role model-based relationships are essential to the development of middle schoolers and pre-teens, it's true that these critical mentorial bonds rarely reach their full potential and are often absent in our local communities. In truth, we all learn best when we are motivated, inspired, and heard, and especially when we have someone to look up to who embodies these traits.
We believe that everyone, regardless of background or identity, deserves this someone. So we created a program that is geared towards maintaining the specific curricular needs of each of its learners while also preserving the quality that makes any relationship meaningful and sustainable: authenticity. We believe creative passion and a shared interest in athletics, music, art, and other hobbies should not only go hand-in-hand with tutoring but should also enhance it. In this way, young and aspiring students learn from the people that understand them the best—other students.
What We Do
The Santa Barbara community is known for its strong sense of belonging and connection, especially when it comes to education. Many non-profit organizations in the area support academic achievement and student growth through various initiatives. The Riviera Mentorship Project focuses on student-to-student mentorship, recognizing the value and impact of peer relationships in learning and personal development. Through this program, students are paired with mentors who provide guidance, encouragement, and resources to help them navigate the academic and social challenges of their education. This program not only benefits the mentees, but also the mentors who gain leadership skills and fulfillment through their peer guidance efforts. The Santa Barbara community's commitment to education and collaboration makes it an ideal environment for programs like this to thrive. It is the hope that the spirited and passionate nature of our local community is reflected in our own endeavors and remains at the core of our mission.