The Equality California Mentorship Corps currently has mentors working with kids at Desert Hot Springs High School, Raymond Cree Middle School, Nellie Coffman Middle School, Desert Springs Middle School, and Painted Hills Middle School.
Big thanks go out to Ariana Ashley, the mentor at Desert Hot Springs High School, for sharing this update on the work being done there. More updates from other schools to come in our April and May issues!
Desert Hot Springs High School is proud to say that they now have an AmeriCorps Equality California mentor and has been wholly involved in the process of finding students fit for the program. While the high school already placed high priority on mental health, visible by their Wellness Center that provides a number of counselors in addition to the already established academic counselors, they were please to take on someone meant specifically for their LGBTQIA+ populace. It can be reported that DHSHS was lucky enough to have a campus and staff that was already very open-minded, receptive, and supportive, allowing LGBTQIA+ students the freedom to express and act on both their gender and sexual identities. As such, the EQCA mentorship program at DHSHS is growing to become more of a sense of empowerment for the students rather than a safe haven, as the students already view the high school as a safe space. Of course, that’s not to say that there isn’t room for improvements, in which the high school staff remains thoughtful and eager to adapt so they can learn ways to be better inclusive, supportive, and accommodating. While still establishing itself in the Desert Hot Springs High School culture, the mentorship program is steadily implementing successfully and can prove to be a lasting school site for all future mentors within the Palm Springs Unified School District.
Original source can be found here