Attorneys in the criminal justice system commonly deal with the negative aftermath of crime. Not as common are opportunities to make a positive, preventative impact. But for nearly eight years, representatives from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Public Defender have been working to do just that, right here in Jurupa Unified.
Established in 2015, the Community Mentors Partnership program is a joint venture between Mission Bell Elementary, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, and the Office of the Public Defender. The program forms mentoring relationships between Riverside County professionals and Mission Bell students facing challenges at school or at home. The goal is that, with guidance from positive role models in their lives, these students navigate social or academic barriers to succeed and flourish.
Fifth and sixth-grade students with academic or social needs are selected by teachers to participate. Mentors visit Mission Bell’s campus each month to speak one-on-one or in small groups with their mentees, offering helpful advice and inspiration for the future. Mentors assist with issues ranging from bullying to reading comprehension. “I think the mission of this program is to give back to the communities that need it the most,” shared Patricia Mejia, deputy public defender.
Many of the mentors, including Ms. Mejia, are first-generation college students who grew up in low-income households similar to their mentees. Many also come from immigrant families, another commonality in the Mission Bell community. “I have a lot in common with these children,” said Arlene Carrillo, deputy public defender. “My parents came into this country undocumented. When my parents finally became naturalized, I remember helping them study for their exam. I was that little girl translating for my parents because they couldn't speak English.”
Ms. Carrillo and her fellow mentors hope their life stories inspire mentees to overcome obstacles and strive to achieve their full potential, personally and professionally. “We want them to know that if we can do it, they can do it,” continued Ms. Mejia, “and whatever we have that we can give to them, we will [give] every single bit of it.”
Also important to the program is presenting a side of the law that students may not normally see or understand. “Our office should not just be seen as an office that comes in once something bad has happened,” stated Francisco Navarro, deputy district attorney. “We should definitely try to be more preventative.”
Mr. Navarro, who believes his office primarily exists to keep communities safe, works carefully to build relationships with his mentees based on trust and understanding so that students see him as an ally, not an enemy. “It's definitely important to create a positive view of what we do and then obviously try to [make] a real impact,” he added.
The mentorship program also includes visits to the Riverside Hall of Justice. Mentors have sponsored field trips and holiday parties, furthering their impact on the school and the wider community.
Ramona Sanchez, the teacher who helped establish the program at Mission Bell and continues to oversee its growth, remarked, “Any time you give community members the opportunity to participate with us in caring for children and showing their interest and dedication, I think, is a wonderful thing.”
