Project MotiVATe, Inc.

Initiated in 1996, Project MotiVATe (formerly Camp for Youth) was developed to meet the needs of Vietnamese American youth in Orange County, CA. Despite the large number of Vietnamese-Americans living in Orange County, there are currently no mentoring programs available free of charge to academically and socially at-risk Vietnamese youth. To fulfill this need, Project MotiVATe offers a culturally relevant mentorship program—at no financial cost to families.

Project MotiVATe ensures that all mentees graduate high school or obtain a GED, and pursue higher education while creating opportunities for personal growth, cultural connectedness and social responsibility through:

• Mentorship
• Summer Camp
• Study Hall
• Monthly Activities

Mentorship: A Mentor provides each mentee with guidance and support. This relationship is an integral aspect of the mentee’s development in the program. Mentors and Mentees maintain contact at least once a week in addition to Study Hall and Monthly Activities.

Summer Camp: The annual camp helps develop bonds among members of the Project MotiVATe family, fosters a positive and supportive environment and establishes relationships for the upcoming school year. Activities consist of team building, leadership workshops, academic and career planning sessions, and cultural awareness activities.

Study Hall: Project MotiVATe offers weekly study hall sessions where academic tutors work with mentees to improve academic skills and study habits. At study hall, mentees also receive academic counseling, college preparation assistance, and participate in workshops.

Monthly Activities: Monthly activities are designed to expose youth to enriching experiences and promote civic engagement, such as college and career fairs, museum trips, and community and cultural events.