The Emily Shane Foundation

The Emily Shane Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity based and serving less fortunate middle school students at sites across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Our unique educational initiative, the SEA (Successful Educational Achievement) Program, provides intensive and individualized academic tutoring and mentorship to disadvantaged middle school students who are at risk of failure. All SEA participants are in the mainstream, middle school classroom, and generally join the program with F's and D's and missing assignments. In addition, many lack motivation and feel disconnected from school. Only those who could not otherwise afford the necessary support we provide can participate. The foundation was created following the tragic murder of 13-year-old Emily Rose Shane on April 3, 2010 in Los Angeles. Her family chose to honor her memory by helping others with something Emily faced, as she struggled academically. They learned firsthand that there was a lack of support for children who fit her profile. Those who are economically disadvantaged and risk failure in school are left to struggle with no recourse through the school system. Academic success should not be a luxury. Our foundation believes that all children deserve the opportunity to succeed in school, as this paves the way to a brighter future. Started in the spring of 2012 with three students and one mentor/tutor at Malibu Middle School, we are commencing our tenth year of operation, serving 12 sites and close to 1000 students to date. Sites include Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Malibu, Santa Monica, Westchester, South Los Angeles and Pico Rivera. The need for SEA was significant even prior to the pandemic, and was greatly increased as a result. Aside from academic challenges, our students often are coping with home life and/or social issues. Due to the experience of this past school year and the incredible success attained by operating virtually, our SEA Program will be offered in both an in-person and online version at most sites for the 2021-2022 school year. The secret to SEA’s success is the rapport and bond that develops between mentor/tutor and mentee. The accountability to their mentor/tutor is a major factor that drives our students’ positive results. As we have a one-on-one model, the mentor/tutor is able to mold their sessions to their particular student’s challenges.