Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin Stockton Branch, Administration 222 E. Weber Avenue, Room 303 Stockton, CA 95202

NEWS RELEASE

What: New Latina Mentoring Program to Present 1st Public Forum

When: Sunday, December 8, 2002 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Where: Superior Court Dept. #21, Stockton, Second Floor

A group of professional women in Stockton believe that young Latinas in this community could use a little help with careers. So they've formed a panel of 9 mentors with a mission.

"We want to make sure that young Latinas know that there are many options open to them," according to Superior Court Commissioner Cinda Fox. "So we want to introduce them to positive role models who can help them aim high, and achieve their goals."

The "Latina Mentoring Program" includes one-on-one sessions, group field trips for educational and cultural outings, and educational group forums every other month.

The first group of girls in the one-on-one mentoring portion of the program consists of high school sophomores from Edison and Stagg in Stockton.

The free forums are open to all Latina girls. The first forum Sunday 12/8 will focus on careers in the justice system. Presenters will include Commissioner Fox, court interpreters, attorneys, court reporters, and others.