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SOSMentor aims to decrease the alarming rate of childhood obesity and related illness by educating students in health, nutrition and fitness while motivating them to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
The SOSMentor ShapeUp program uses academic mentoring to empower high school students with the skills to become role models and advocates for healthy eating and increased physical activity for younger students and family. Over the course of a 10-week program, ShapeUp provides high school students with education in health, nutrition and fitness. Specifically, we employ a team academic mentoring structure in which lessons are taught by teachers, a registered dietitian, and/or a community volunteer. Each lesson is facilitated by volunteer mentors from the school staff, businesses, service organizations, and local colleges. The high school students then act as mentors to students at a nearby elementary school. Students develop leadership skills, confidence and self-esteem, while learning how to get in shape and eat more nutritious foods.
SOSMentor ShapeUp also encourages their kids to become community advocates with the knowledge they learn in the program. After completing the program, many of the kids start to educate their parents, siblings, cousins, schools about healthy eating and fitness habits. Some become so interested in what they learn in the SOSMentor ShapeUp program that they choose to major in nutrition or physical education once they leave high school.
The SOSMentor ShapeUp mentoring program is multi-tiered—adult professionals mentor high school students, so that they can then mentor middle school and elementary students. The professions of the SOSMentor ShapeUp’s mentors range from lawyers to doctors, actors, business owners, educators, bankers, psychologists, and financial advisors. Renowned Los Angeles fitness professionals, nutritionists and dietitians also facilitate workshop activities in the SOSMentor ShapeUp program.
Each year, SOSMentor ShapeUp students participate in team building nutrition and fitness events and activities. Many train for the Los Angeles 5K and Marathon together on behalf of the SOSMentor ShapeUp Team.
Dr. Robert and Carole Donahue, SOSMentor ShapeUp’s cofounders are also husband and wife. They have 70 years of combined experience as educators. Robert, SOS Mentor’s Executive Director, has served as Principal at the elementary, middle and high school levels. He holds a doctorate in higher education and school finance. Robert recently retired as a public school principal, after serving as a teacher, counselor and administrator for 38 years. He is currently leading SOSMentor ShapeUp and developing curriculum for the programs.
Carole has 27 years experience as a classroom teacher and program coordinator, and has been recognized for her work in developing mentoring and other support programs for at-risk youth. In 1995, she founded the largest school-based mentoring program in California, which has served as a model for programs in other schools and states, earning her national recognition for her innovative approach. In 2000, they started an organization called SOSMentor and four years later, it evolved into SOSMentor ShapeUp.
Please visit www.sosmentor.org to find out how to become involved.
1. Reform the norm that accepts obesity and sedentary lifestyles and replace it with a norm that expects healthy food and active living.
2. Youth act as "Champions of Change" by serving as change agents to promote healthy lifestyle habits that help strengthen community health.
3. Promote healthy eating habits and increased physical activity levels among youth and families.
4. Make a donation to Socrates Opportunity Scholarship Foundation (AKA SOSMentor ShapeUp)
5. Join Team SOSMentor ShapeUp to raise money for SOSMentor in the LA Marathon. Visit www.sosmentor.org and REGISTER or MAKE A PLEDGE today!