Mentoring youth in ventura county

We are committed to making our community a better place by building leaders of the future.

UCLA Health

the teacher and the surgeon - and the friendly bet

Heather Hatchman, a Ventura elementary school teacher, made a deal with her UCLA Health doctor, breast surgeon Farnaz Haji, MD: If Hatchman finished her breast cancer treatment and worked on her recovery, Dr. Haji would visit her class and talk to her students.

Hatchman's treatment went well and Dr. Haji made good on her promise.

Dr. Haji not only spoke with Hatchman’s class but is now involved with Hatchman’s nonprofit, Vision Young Leaders Academy, through which children are inspired toward future success.

Video and Pictures by Milo Mitchell

About Us

Group Hangout

At Vision Young Leaders' Academy we host a group hangout on the 2nd Friday of every month in order to build a supportive community filled with a variety of fun filled activities. Some of our favorites are Skating Plus, Buena Lanes Bowling, and Golf N' Stuff.

field trips

This last June we experienced our second annual Summer Camping Retreat at Ventura Ranch KOA Campground in Santa Paula where we had so much fun enjoying the great outdoors. We spent two nights connecting with other members, swimming, playing games, doing arts and crafts and hanging out by the camp fire.

community service

We are committed to making our community a better place and have community service events throughout the year. This year our young members collected personal items for 100 hygiene bags to be distributed to displaced community members in Oxnard.

athletics

This last summer we started our VISION Athletics Program. We had a 6th grade boys basketball team during the summer and a 6th grade girls volleyball team during the fall. Our players showed how hard work, dedication and effort leads to great improvement in their skills.

Guest speaker

Professional soccer player, Yadira Toraya, joined our meetup to share her story from childhood to becoming a professional soccer player. She explained the many struggles she encountered along the way and how her desire to succeed was greater than any hurdle she met. Yadira challenged our members to set goals and never give up on them. She instilled in them that it doesn't matter who you are or where you are from, anything is possible.