NPIEN MENTORING PROGRAM

NPIEN embarks on its Mentoring Program in the months of April, May, and June. We recently contacted a number of professionals in the Pacific Islander community to participate. To date, eight have committed to speak at one of the many schools we serve in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. We have also participated in the past in Ventura, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties. The Mentors speak at lunch-time assemblies or in career day programs. Leuzinger High School, Centinela Valley Union High School District, Will Rogers Middle School, Lawndale School District, and Poly High School, Long Beach Unified School District, are early participants. I kicked-off the mentoring program season this past week at Hope Street Elementary School in Huntington Park, Los Angeles Unified School District. The school is 99% Latino, and it was teacher Judy Ann Sanchez'es wish to introduce her 5th Grade Class to the Pacific Islander culture. I shared a powerpoint presentation about the geography, languages, cultural stereotypes, and historical facts on Pacific Islanders, followed by the class joining me in singing "Talofa Lava." It was great to be with the students at Hope Street, who were kind to send me numerous thank you cards and a book. Fa'afetai Hope Street Elementary!