Apex Mentoring-Youth Mentoring and Sports

Beginnings

In 2011, We started as a soccer program to help at risk youth (ages 18 to 24 ) learn recreational skills and have an athletic outlet.  We learned that many youth were interested in receiving some life guidance.  We started to talk to the youth about their lives and providing guidance when necessary.  Two year ago, we developed a web design/development and marketing program.  Youth are taught skills to create websites and market products.  They also learn to create logos for businesses.  The youth in the program have created websites and logos for local businesses.  

The approach that we have is to provide a permanent connection with the youth.  Every youth can receive mentoring from staff and volunteers. We focus on personal relationships first and then helping the youth develop skills that will help them achieve their goals.

Current Programs

Currently, we are running a soccer skills program and a web/marketing program.  The soccer program teaches youth (7 to 14) organizational and soccer skills.  The youth participate in soccer games and are given a chance to develop tournaments and drills.  We are currently partnering with Project- Access to provide support to their youth through soccer programs.  We recently held soccer sessions for youth in Palo Alto and Oakland with Project-Access.  We will continue to hold these soccer clinics in 2018.

 The web/digital media program teaches youth how to create business websites and logos. The youth also learns to market products using websites, email, twitter and more.  We also created a social service database website (apexhelps.org).  The website helps people in the Bay Area find social service resources.

Success Stories

We have taught over 120 youth in our website development classes.  Several of these youth have been hired by companies like Work Day and Rootid.  In addition, some youth have created their own business websites and marketed their entrepreneurial endeavors online.