2009-01-10 01:16:57 - Program aims to inspire kids to reach for their dreams

Los Angeles, CA [January 12 , 2008] - Starfish Creative Events, Inc. (SCE), a Los Angeles-based events management agency, will launch its Mentoring Matters program in collaboration with the Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), a children's community center and after-school program, to inspire at-risk children to strive for excellence in academics, sports and the arts this Monday, January 12th, 2009.

The

12-week mentoring program will take place at the HOLA Youth Center in Los Angeles. Each week, SCE recruits high-level business executives in a variety of industries such as marketing, finance, publishing, video game development, retail and technology to volunteer their time and speak to middle- and high school children about their careers and the paths they took to get there.

Confirmed speakers include executives from corporations such as Evite, Disney, Konami, Activision, HBO and Bamko. Through open discussions, visuals and a question-and-answer session, the executives are able to spend quality time with the children and educate them on the power of hard work and perseverance in the business world.

Mentoring Matters was started by young entrepreneurs Gail Cayetano and Stephanie Hansen, founders of Starfish Creative Events, Inc. a Los Angeles based event marketing agency catering to corporate and entertainment clients.

'We wanted to give back to the community in a meaningful way, so we discussed what made a difference in our lives as children, and we realized that the mentors we looked up to as kids played a huge role in our success today,' states Cayetano. 'Our goal for Mentoring Matters is to help inspire children to recognize that all of their dreams can be achieved.'

'We have witnessed great development in our kids when they have been encouraged and given a chance to pursue a brighter future,' states Tony Brown, Executive Director of the Heart of Los Angeles. 'Their inspiration most often stems from others who share their own work and personal experiences that speak directly and resonate profoundly on our young people and it is why we are so grateful to the variety of mentors who make the time.'

About Starfish Creative Events
Starfish Creative Events is a full service, turnkey events management agency catering to corporate and entertainment clientele who aim to market, promote or build their brand through events. The company prides itself on specializing in the conceptualization, design and execution of these events. This, along with unique marketing ideas and effective publicity and product promotion are the ways in which SCE assists clients in fulfilling their marketing goals. Using custom décor, lighting techniques, entertainment and personalized catering, along with further elements that make the event a success, SCE works with its clients to ensure a well thought out and exceptional event, integrating the brand's vision through to completion. For more information please visit: www.starfish-events.com.

About Heart of Los Angeles:
The nonprofit Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) program empowers inner city youth to advance their lives and revitalize their communities through enrichment, personal development and leadership programs. HOLA is a thriving center that is unique in the quality of instruction and individual attention it provides to youth ages 6 to 19. The campus is a home away from home for hundreds of kids. For more information please visit: www.heartofla.org.