Awards
Sage founder, Alejandro Velez, was honored in April 2009 for commitment to public service for campus and community efforts by receiving the Mather Good Citizen Award.
Joel Gerson, President of Sage for 2010-2011, was awarded the Chancellor's Public Service Award in April 2011 for his outstanding contribution to Sage.
Sage Video
Watch Sage's Video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufob60tJnkI
Sage in the News
http://www.dailycal.org/article/108313/mentors_matter_on_both_national_and_local_scales
http://www.ibabuzz.com/education/2010/12/06/thoughts-on-mentoring-and-being-mentored/#more-11172
http://www.myedu.com/blog/2010/12/02/do-tough-times-call-for-undie-runs-and-knobby-knees/
http://www.dosomething.org/project/sage-mentorship-project
Testimonials
This program embodies the power of unity and how this element coupled with a defined vision can create a change. We all look forward to seeing the continued impact that these students will surely have on our community.
- Congresswoman Barbara Lee
The Sage Project is a great mentorship program for both the Student Athletes and the kids. I am glad that our players have the opportunity to be a positive influence to local children in the Bay Area.
- Cal Football Head Coach Jeff Tedford
This wonderful program has grown immensely and it is truly amazing to see a group of students working together cohesively in order to make a change.
- Chancellor Robert J. Birgeneau
This program helped and when you can help one, then you can help two, and when you can help two you can help three. Soon you begin to see a community being built and it all starts from the children.
- Winnie Johnson, elementary school teacher
I like having Alex as my mentor because he's always there to hang out with me and help me with my schoolwork.
- Cleveland Williams, elementary school student
I love the kids' enthusiasm towards mentors. The second you walk into the classroom door, you are met with pure excitement from all the kids, regardless if they are your mentee or not. I like how the mentees love the mentor's presence in their lives, and it makes them feel special. In their daily school life I feel like each kid doesn't get the individual attention they need, so the mentorship program is a great way to make sure the kid gets at least a few hours of undivided attention a week.
- Mentor
The best part about this program are the kids. You can really tell that they genuinely appreciate us coming each week. Even the kids that we don't mentor want to be around us, say hi to us, and show their appreciation in some way. Going to this school and seeing the expression on the kids' faces is the highlight of my week.
- Mentor
My favorite part about the program is the fact that it is one-on-one because you develop that bond and familiarity that is so essential to the positive development of the child. At the same time, there are no restrictions on helping the other children, and that is a big plus too because then you're influence isn't limited to just one person.
- Mentor
I went to Washington Elementary today and got to see my mentee in music class which was really fun, especially since they were playing some Christmas tunes, and I ate lunch with her as well. I also wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed this mentoring experience. I had heard really good things from my teammates but I never thought it would affect me this much. Just to hear my mentee say I missed you and for her to be excited when I say the next time I'm going to come is more rewarding than I ever could have expected. Thank you for this experience and all that you do!
- Mentor