LATM executive director Maria Melton honored longtime supporter Jim Baubien at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Oct. 24. (photo courtesy of LATM)

On Oct. 24 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles Team Mentoring celebrated its 32nd year at the organization’s annual soiree. LATM is Los Angeles’ pioneering nonprofit organization guiding middle school students from challenging urban neighborhoods to reach their full potential. The event was emceed by KTLA-TV’s Chris Schauble and featured special remarks by Kathy Ireland, a longtime supporter of LATM and former honoree. This year’s honoree was co-founder and CEO of Hedonistas de la Fe Mezcal, Jim Beaubien. KTLA-TV was the media sponsor.

“We remain extremely grateful that we were able to honor Jim Beaubien for the work he has done and continues to do for LATM,” said Maria Melton, LATM’s executive director. “Jim has been a valuable and active member of the board for over nine years, including his five years as chair and we cannot thank him enough for his ongoing support and contribution to the organization. Each year I grow increasingly prouder of the work we are doing at LATM. It’s been such an honor to help over 1,000 at-risk youth weekly and without the aid of our incredible mentors, board of directors and donors we wouldn’t see the same success.”

“Growing up in Flint, Michigan I saw firsthand the effects mentors have on the lives of middle school aged children, which is why it is an absolute honor to work with and be recognized by LATM,” Beaubien said. “LATM is an organization I hold very close to my heart, and I will continue to support the incredible work they do to help the middle school children of Los Angeles.”

Since its inception, LATM has provided over three million hours of service through mentoring youth in Los Angeles. The program focuses on the critical non-school hours – after-school, weekends and summers – to ensure students have safe and structured programming and access to trusted adult role models.  Youth enroll in LATM’s program in sixth, seventh and eighth grades.  Although LATM does not provide tutoring, students in the program not only earn higher grades, but go on four years later to graduate from high school at a 22% higher rate. In addition, 100% of LATM youth have increased self-esteem – giving them the critical foundation they need to dream big and succeed. LATM’s mentoring model includes both in-person through “TeamWorks,” and virtual programming  or “eWorks.”  Each includes a team of three mentors consisting of a teacher, a college student and a community or business volunteer that utilize an activity-based curriculum enabling students to develop social emotional skills and resiliency.

For information, please visit www.latm.org