The Mentor Program
Providing positive interaction and support to vulnerable youth in third through eighth grades by matching them with trained adult volunteers.
About the mentor program
The Mentor Program is a prevention program that uses positive interaction and support to deter problematic behaviors in local youth. The program matches caring adult volunteers with youth ages third through eighth grade enrolled in the Goleta, Santa Barbara and Carpinteria school districts. Mentors encourage personal growth, self-esteem, academic performance, and healthy family dynamics. The program has demonstrated strong success at deterring risky behaviors and promoting positive behaviors of Mentees, who are referred to CADA by school counselors, psychologists, and other school administrators. Family members can also request a referral to the Mentor Program from their child’s school.
Mentors and Mentees spend a minimum of one hour together each week, talking about the student’s issues and concerns, working on school assignments, setting goals, and generally enjoying each other’s company in a positive environment. This regular interaction helps Mentees learn to understand and avoid risky behaviors, develop self-confidence, and learn self-improvement skills. Mentors can meet with their Mentees at their school site or off campus at public locations like parks, beaches, the zoo, museums, or restaurants. Many Mentors/Mentees become lifelong friends.
The program recognizes success along the shared journey of discovery through a variety of small rewards for meeting milestones, including gift cards and tickets to local entertainment venues, and celebratory gatherings. Mentees and their families can also receive referrals to other CADA programs, including parenting and other resources.
CADA’s Mentors complete a detailed application; undergo a thorough evaluation, including a Department of Justice background check and LIVE Scan fingerprinting; and must have COVID-19 vaccinations. Mentors receive training and ongoing supervision throughout their participation in the program.
There is no cost to the Mentee or her/his family or the Mentor to participate in the Mentor Program.
For more information, including how to become a Mentor, or be referred as a Mentee, email or contact Mentor Program Director Lisa Gosdschan: 805.722.1321 or lgosdschan@cadasb.org.
Watch the 2022 Mentor of the Year Video
Congratulations CADA Mentees,
Class of 2024 High School Graduates!
We are SO very, very proud of you!
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Melissa Mayo Gallardo
My experience at CADA has been nothing but fun, filled with many fun activities for you to do with your mentor but also has improved my future decisions. I am thankful for this program and my mentor Kim because without her I wouldn’t have made the decision to be able to serve in the Air Force soon which is my proudest accomplishment yet. I have been with CADA program since the 6th grade and crazy to think I am graduating in a week from high school. CADA not only offers these amazing mentors but many activities to do, my favorite have been going to see alpacas and ice skating. I think the CADA program is such a great program for teens since you’re still growing and learning so having these wise role models teach you what they’ve learned throughout their time makes you want to succeed in life!
Mentor - Kim Browman:
I have enjoyed being Melissa's mentor for six years. We've shared a lot of laughs, ate lots of Rusty's pizza, and just shared our lives. I've watched her grow from a quiet sixth-grader to a confident, smart, ambitious, fun-loving young woman. She's always gotten good grades, even taking advanced classes in physics and advanced algebra. That impresses me since I could only get as far as beginning algebra! And she's proven to be a very dependable and dedicated employee at her 1st job at the Habit. After high school graduation, she will be joining the U.S. Air Force. Oh, the places she will go!!!! I'm so very proud of her and congratulate her on all her accomplishments, and wish her great success in her new adventure!!!
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Zeke Adderley
First off my experience with the mentor program would have to be amazing. Not only did it help me through tough years of my life but it also showed me that I’m not alone. I’m not the only one person in the world that needed some really good guidance to create my own path.
Mentor - Wayne Stelly:
Zeke and I started our mentoring relationship in the fall of 2017 when he was in 5th grade at Foothill School. I’ve watched him blossom as a person in so many ways, in baseball, as a student and as a person. We shared so many fun activities together throughout our 7 years together and I couldn’t be more thrilled and proud of Zeke’s achievements. He’ll soon be off to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on a baseball scholarship, majoring in Media Arts. This summer Zeke has been invited to play with the 10-time World Series Champion Santa Barbara Foresters. The CADA mentor program facilitated the connection of a lifetime, hopefully for both of us. It certainly has for me, and I will always cherish the memories of being with Zeke.
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Beatriz Moran
Thanks to Lisa’s support and guidance, I am stronger today. My favorite memories are when we listen to country music and try new foods. Lisa has also taught me to work hard, take leaps of faith when needed and to never skip steps in life. Thanks Lisa!
Mentor - Lisa Gosdschan:
Beatriz has been in the CADA Mentor Program for five years. There are no words to express the joy she has brought to my life. Together we are the dynamic duo, with lots of fun and laughter. When I first became her mentor, it was post COVID and many students during this time had anxiety. Over the years she has matured and become not only a good student but also able to control her anxiety. I am so proud of her graduation early in March and received three awards: Outstanding Senior, Community Service Award and the Dodie-Lovett Scholarship. I wish Beatriz the best in all her future endeavors. “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship” from Casablanca.
What Mentors and Mentees Are Saying…
Mentor Program Advisory Board
Tony Lee, Chairman
Maria De Alba • Dylan Boswell • Marybeth Carty • Lisa Gosdschan • Sally Green • Arno Jaffe • Penny Jenkins • Michael Katz • Nick Wimmel
The Mentor Program is funded in part by grants from the George B. Page Foundation, the SG Foundation, the Towbes Foundation, the Mastick Foundation, and the Goleta Rotary Club.
Free Resource for Mentors
MENTOR’s Becoming a Better Mentor: Strategies to Be There for Young People is a free resource written by experts in the field to benefit any adult looking to support young people. Full of real-world advice and evidence-based strategies, it provides mentors with the core skills, key principles, and critical practices of mentoring. Download a copy here.