IN THE MIX:

Lisset Mendoza wants to be a lawyer or a fashion designer. After two years in the Youth Achiever’s program it’s obvious that either of those careers is within reach.

While a seventh grader at Costa Mesa Middle School, Lisset decided she was done getting bad grades.

She and a couple of friends decided to try the Youth Achievers program offered after school at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Costa Mesa. The program is paid for through the middle school and the YMCA Orange County.

I asked the shy Lisset why she felt she couldn’t start doing her homework and bring up her grades on her own. She answered quietly but with a smile that when she went home after school she wouldn’t do her homework, but the minute you get to the YMCA program you have to do your homework.

“And they help you,” she said.

The tutoring didn’t end with the school year. Lisset attended the summer program where she was named the Superstar of the Summer for perfect attendance and participation. And she received A’s in her summer school classes.

In the end, she raised her GPA by 83% and was awarded the Chick Hearn Legacy Scholarship. She’s the first recipient of the $5,000 award.

Lisset received the honor Friday during the 32nd annual Reach Out Awards put on by the YMCA of Orange County Community Services Branch.

Unfortunately for Lisset, now in ninth grade, the program is only for seventh and eighth graders. She is participating as a Leader in Training. At some point Lisset won’t be part of the program anymore.

But the program has already accomplished something that will be hard to diminish. Lisset knows what she can do and is planning on continuing on that path.

She and her friend, Jennifer Sanchez, who started with her, are both keeping up with school.

For seven years the program has used the skills of mentors who are often members of the church and sometimes just members of the community.

Gene Foster just joined the group two weeks ago. He helps with writing skills and pre-algebra. He said his hope is to get students on the right path.

“Keeping kids off the streets is the point,” he said, adding that anything more than that is a bonus.

Arianna Yanez is the program director for the YMCA of Orange County’s youth development.

She said seventh and eighth graders not only get help with their homework and have a safe place to socialize after school, the staff also help them with college.

Students have an opportunity to be artistic and athletic. There was also a pickup baseball game on the side area of the church and a group of people were discussing the logistics of adding a basketball court.

The program includes career days and offers occasional field trips.

Unfortunately, the program only has room for 40 kids.

Yanez said organizers hope to expand the program, which would include hiring two new people, one with experience with sports.

Lisset is part of the program’s continuation and expansion. Not only is she acting as a leader and an example for the other students, but her cousins have joined Youth Achievers. As long as it continues the program, its students and its mentors will be a part of making the whole community better.

ALICIA LOPEZ teaches journalism at Orange Coast College and lives in Costa Mesa. She can be reached at [email protected].