Peer-to-Peer Triangle Mentoring Program

Mission: To provide an environment for growth in self-esteem and practical knowledge to help students achieve their goals.

Every Friday, more than 20 Bellflower High School student mentors share the joys of reading with 160 elementary school children through the Peer-to-Peer Triangle Mentoring Program.

The children are assigned books appropriate to their reading level. The mentors quiz the younger students about the materials they read and sometimes act out the stories.

Last summer, the Bellflower Unified School District, Catholic Big Brothers and Los Cerritos YMCA developed the program, which allows high school volunteers to tutor younger students after school three days a week in reading, math and English.

The program is funded by a grant from the Family Support Funds of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services and a grant from Vital Interagency Technological Access Links, a consortium of more than 50 organizations in southeastern Los Angeles County.

* Quote: “The best part is when they hug you and you can see the light come on in their eyes when they understand something. I know I would have been better and more successful if I had someone be a mentor to me.”

--Cesar Villa, 15, Bellflower

High School sophomore