How Do I Know What to Look for in a Mentoring Program?
Embedded Files
Step 1: Understand the Youth’s Interests and Needs
Step 1: Understand the Youth’s Interests and Needs
Before searching for a mentoring program, take a moment to reflect on the young person you're supporting. Here are a few helpful questions to guide you:
What kind of mentoring experience would help this young person grow and feel supported?
How might they enjoy spending time with a mentor, based on their age and preferences?
Are they already connected to other services (like academic support, job training, housing, or life skills)?
If yes, is that program able to offer mentoring as well?
Step 2: Find the Right Mentoring Match
Step 2: Find the Right Mentoring Match
To help you narrow down the best mentoring option, consider the following:
Is the youth looking to build a trusting relationship first, or are they seeking immediate help with something specific?
Do they have a hobby or passion they want to explore with a mentor?
Would they benefit from help discovering what they're interested in?
Do they just want someone to talk to and connect with?
Would they prefer a mentor who shares their background—like culture, gender identity, or sexual orientation?
Are they involved with County systems like DCFS, Probation, or ILP? This can help determine program eligibility.
The Program Finder Tool is a searchable database that includes key information about mentoring programs across Los Angeles County. You can explore programs using filters such as age range, referral type, geographic area, and availability—making it easier to find the right fit for the youth you support. Each listing includes important details like program name, services offered, eligibility, and contact information.Â
Note: This resource is updated on a quarterly basis to ensure you're accessing the most accurate and up-to-date opportunities for youth mentoring in Los Angeles County.
How Does the Finder Tool Work?
How Does the Finder Tool Work?
The Program Finder Tool is your go-to place to search for mentoring programs all over Los Angeles County. You can use filters like age, location, type of program, and availability to find the one that’s the best fit for you. Each program listing shares key info - like what they offer, who can join, and how to get in touch. We keep this tool updated so you can always find the latest and most accurate mentoring opportunities in Los Angeles.
What are the Types of Mentoring Programs Available?
What are the Types of Mentoring Programs Available?
Relationship-Driven Mentoring
Programs that support youth to build a voluntary relationship with peers and/or adults.
Mentoring +
Programs that center relationship-building and offer additional components like educational support or career development.
Services + Mentoring
Comprehensive multi-service programs (housing, health/mental health, case management) that include a relational component.
Lifelong/Long Term Mentoring
Programs that connect younger children to an adult who will stay with them for most or all of their childhood.
Co-Pilot/Navigation Programs
Programs that support TAY youth with warm, consistent support to find and utilize resources for transition.
Mentoring Program Finder Tool
Note: The mentoring programs listed in the Program Finder are part of our coalition and keep their information up to date, with many participating in our Learning-in-Action-Communities. While approaches and quality may vary, the LA Youth Mentoring Nexus has not conducted a formal quality review. This tool is for informational purposes and supports YMN network members. We encourage users to contact programs directly to assess fit and refer to the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring for guidance on quality and safety.
Zip Codes and Cities by Service Planning Area (SPA)
SPA 1
SPA 1
Zip Codes
93243 93510 93523 93532 93534 93535 93536 93543 93550 93551 93552 93553 93563 93591
Cities
Acton
Del Sur
Gorman
Hi Vista
Lake Hughes
Lake Los Angeles
Lancaster
Leona Valley
Littlerock
Liano
Palmdale
Pearblossom
Littlerock
Liano
Palmdale
Pearblossom
SPA 2
SPA 2
Zip Codes
90290 91011 91020 91040
91042 91046 91201 91202
91203 91204 91205 91206
91207 91208 91214 91301
91302 91303 91304 91306 91307 91311 91316 91321 91324 91325 91326 91331 91335 91340 91342 91343 91344 91345 91350 91351 91352 91354 91355 91356 91361 91362 91364 91367 91381 91384 91401 91402 91403 91405 91406 91411 91423 91436 91501 91502 91504 91505 91506 91601 91602 91604 91605 91606 91607 91608
Cities
Agoura Hills
Burbank
Calabasas
Canoga Park
Canyon Country
Castaic
Chatsworth
Encino
Glendale
Hidden Hills
La Canada-Flintridge
Northridge
Pacoima
Reseda
Sand Canyon
San Fernando
Santa Clarita
Saugus
Sepulveda
Sherman Oaks
Stevenson Ranch
Sunland
Sun ValleySylmar
Tujunga
Universal City
Valencia
Van Nuys
West Hills
Westlake Village
Woodland Hills
SPA 3
SPA 3
Zip Codes
91001 91006 91007 91010 91023 91024 91030 91101 91103 91104 91105 91106 91107 91108 91702 91706 91711 91722 91723 91724 91731 91732 91733 91740 91741 91744 91745 91746 91748 91750 91754 91755 91765 91766 91767 91768 91770 91773 91775 91776 91780 91789 91790 91792 91801 91803
Cities
Alhambra
Altadena
Arcadia
Azusa
Baldwin Park
Bradbury
Citrus
City of Industry
Claremont
Covina
Diamond Bar
Duarte
El Monte
Glendora
Hacienda Heights
Irwindale
La Puente
La Verne
Monrovia
Monterey Park
Pasadena*
Pomona
Rosemead
San Dimas
San Gabriel
San Marino
Sierra Madre
South El Monte
Temple City
Valinda
Walnut
West Covina
SPA 4
SPA 4
Zip Codes
90004 90005 90006 90010 90012 90013 90014 90015 90017 90019 90020 90021 90023 90026 90027 90028 90029 90031 90032 90033 90036 90038 90039 90041 90042 90046 90048 90057 90065 90068 90069 90071
Cities
Eagle Rock
El Sereno
Hollywood
Downtown Los Angeles
Mid-City Los Angeles
Mount Washington
Park La Brea
West Hollywood
SPA 5
SPA 5
Zip Codes
90025 90034 90035 90045 90049 90056 90064 90066 90067 90073 90077 90094 90210 90211 90212 90230 90232 90265 90272 90291 90292 90293 90401 90401 90402 90403 90404
Cities
Beverly Hills
Brentwood
Culver City
Malibu
Pacific Palisades
Playa del Rey
Santa Monica
Venice
SPA 6
SPA 6
Zip Codes
90001 90002 90003 90007 90008 90011 90016 90018 90037 90043 90044 90047 90059 90061 90062 90220 90221 90222 90723
Cities
Athens
Compton
Crenshaw
Florence
Hyde Park
Lynwood
Paramount
Watts
SPA 7
SPA 7
Zip Codes
90022 90040 90058 90063 90201 90240 90241 90242 90255 90270 90280 90601 90602 90603 90604 90605 90606 90631 90638 90640 90650 90660 90670 90701 90703 90706 90712 90713 90715 90716
Cities:
Artesia
Bellflower
Bell Gardens
Cerritos
City of Commerce
Downey
East Los Angeles
Hawaiian Gardens
Huntington Park
La Habra Heights
Lakewood
La Mirada
Lynwood
Montebello
Norwalk
Paramount
Pico Rivera
Santa Fe Springs
South Gate
Vernon
Whittier
SPA 8
SPA 8
Zip Codes
90245 90247 90248 90249 90250 90254 90260 90266 90274 90275 90277 90278 90301 90302 90303 90304 90305 90501 90502 90503 90504 90505 90710 90717 90731 90732 90744 90745 90746 90747 90802 90803 90804 90805 90806 90807 90808 90810 90813 90814 90815 90822 90840
Cities
Avalon
Carson
Catalina Island
El Segundo
Gardena
Hawthorne
Inglewood
Lennox
Lomita
Long Beach
Hermosa Beach
Manhattan Beach
Naples
Palos Verdes Estates
Rancho Palos Verdes
Redondo Beach
Rolling Hills
San Pedro
Signal Hill
Wilmington
Report abuse