Youth Mentoring Connection was founded in 2001 by Tony LoRe. Originally a successful businessman, Tony found his life’s passion in working with young people. In 1997, he answered that calling and sold his business to dedicate his life to helping kids and transforming culture. He now spends all of his time and energy dedicated to connecting youth with mentors in their community. LoRe has written Life Skills and Business Skills curriculum for youth and has facilitated at the Universal Youth Entrepreneur Academy and the Center for Entrepreneurism at Manual Arts High School. He served the leadership role in curriculum development for the Community for Education Foundation’s entrepreneurism program, creating the model for facilitation of student sessions and teacher training. In addition to his duties as CEO of Youth Mentoring Connection, he designs and runs all of its programs, serves as a mentor for the mentors, counsels youth, and collaborates with other non-profit organizations.

Tony LoRe’s decision to dedicate his life to finding mentors for at-risk, inner city youth has impacted the lives of thousands of kids and just as many adults, but he will tell you that the life saved was his own.

Youth Mentoring Connection began as a small mentoring program serving just over 40 youth per year. The concentrated program allowed the organization to identify potential pitfalls, solidify its use of best practices in mentoring and to ensure that the program was providing the optimum support necessary in its one-on-one mentoring relationships before expanding the reach of its programs. The growth of the organization attests to the results achieved. Youth Mentoring Connection’s programs and services have since benefited thousands of youth through direct mentoring, collaborations with other organizations and through mentor trainings provided to organizations throughout Southern California.