This is a film that has the potential of producing an enormous impact and can inspire the kind of motivation to effect social consciousness. Recently featured at The Pacific Palisades Film Festival and the Detroit Windsor International Film Festival, this documentary effectively demonstrates how mentoring can be used in the most profound of ways.
Directed and produced by Oscar nominated filmmaker William Gazecki, and Professor of Film Studies and President of Echo Mountain Productions Inc., Sheila A. Laffey, PhD, the film was intended as an educational tool to promote community service through mentorship.
United States President Barack Obama and his administration have made education a priority, noting that "Dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It's not just quitting on yourself, it's quitting on your country – and this country needs and values the talents of every American." (President Obama Address to Joint Session of Congress, 2/24/09).
In the film, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's powerful mentoring relationship as a youth is detailed, as well as that of five urban high school students with very diverse backgrounds and needs. As the students confront the challenges of home and school life, the effect of a dedicated mentor's active role model participation becomes more than evident, as talents previously thought impossible emerge.
"I was well into my 30s before I realized that the acknowledgment, advice, encouragement and criticism I had received over the years had indeed been mentoring. By the time I was 35, I'd had the good fortune to work with men of remarkable experience and wisdom, who were considerate enough to share of themselves and offer counsel," explained Oscar-nominated Co-Director, William Gazecki.
Show Me the Way confirms why virtually every successful or well-balanced, happy individual can point to a mentor as having had a very profound effect on their lives. Conversely, it is more than evident that those people and students who are troubled and struggling, were lacking a positive mentor to help guide them. As Mayor Villaraigosa astutely points out, the difficulties facing young people today are not only in Los Angeles, but are also prevalent in every major city across the U.S.
"Young people with goals encounter challenges. Will they reach their potential? Will they change their lives for the better? Will a mentor help make the difference? These were real questions with answers that would emerge only at the end of our filming their journeys. I felt honored to connect with the mentors and mentees as they shared various aspects of their lives," explained Co-Director, Sheila A. Laffey, PhD.
Imagine what could happen if over the last four decades, all of the gang connected youth were instead involved with a positive mentoring affiliation? Perhaps many of the estimated 15,000 plus gang related deaths could have been averted.
During these challenging economic times, never before could the presence of a positive mentor in someone's life mean so much. As urban decay continues to grow in the inner cities of the U.S. and beyond, Show Me the Way sheds light on a simple, but very effective solution: mentoring.
As Show Me the Way proves, mentoring affects everyone involved in very positive ways. Mentors are enriched from their experience nurturing and teaching students, as they gain the abilities they need in order to work toward their education and career goals. In turn, society as a whole benefits on an ever increasing level. "Mentoring is something that happens over time - it's a process within a relationship. The benefits unfold gradually, sometimes long after the relationship is over," concluded Co-Director, William Gazecki.
If every person in society set about mentoring at least one person, it might be possible to effectively create the kind of cultural network that could ultimately change the face of society.
"I also saw that mentoring happens in big and small ways. As a professor of film studies and a filmmaker, I work with young people on a regular basis. My hope is that transformative values and a commitment to make a difference are what my students take away from their relationship with me," Dr. Laffey added.
All of the greatest intentions begin with hope. Show Me the Way's most important and profound message is one of meaning, motivation, inspiration and, most of all, hope.
Directed and produced by Oscar nominated filmmaker William Gazecki, and Professor of Film Studies and President of Echo Mountain Productions Inc., Sheila A. Laffey, PhD, the film was intended as an educational tool to promote community service through mentorship.
United States President Barack Obama and his administration have made education a priority, noting that "Dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It's not just quitting on yourself, it's quitting on your country – and this country needs and values the talents of every American." (President Obama Address to Joint Session of Congress, 2/24/09).
In the film, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's powerful mentoring relationship as a youth is detailed, as well as that of five urban high school students with very diverse backgrounds and needs. As the students confront the challenges of home and school life, the effect of a dedicated mentor's active role model participation becomes more than evident, as talents previously thought impossible emerge.
"I was well into my 30s before I realized that the acknowledgment, advice, encouragement and criticism I had received over the years had indeed been mentoring. By the time I was 35, I'd had the good fortune to work with men of remarkable experience and wisdom, who were considerate enough to share of themselves and offer counsel," explained Oscar-nominated Co-Director, William Gazecki.
Show Me the Way confirms why virtually every successful or well-balanced, happy individual can point to a mentor as having had a very profound effect on their lives. Conversely, it is more than evident that those people and students who are troubled and struggling, were lacking a positive mentor to help guide them. As Mayor Villaraigosa astutely points out, the difficulties facing young people today are not only in Los Angeles, but are also prevalent in every major city across the U.S.
"Young people with goals encounter challenges. Will they reach their potential? Will they change their lives for the better? Will a mentor help make the difference? These were real questions with answers that would emerge only at the end of our filming their journeys. I felt honored to connect with the mentors and mentees as they shared various aspects of their lives," explained Co-Director, Sheila A. Laffey, PhD.
Imagine what could happen if over the last four decades, all of the gang connected youth were instead involved with a positive mentoring affiliation? Perhaps many of the estimated 15,000 plus gang related deaths could have been averted.
During these challenging economic times, never before could the presence of a positive mentor in someone's life mean so much. As urban decay continues to grow in the inner cities of the U.S. and beyond, Show Me the Way sheds light on a simple, but very effective solution: mentoring.
As Show Me the Way proves, mentoring affects everyone involved in very positive ways. Mentors are enriched from their experience nurturing and teaching students, as they gain the abilities they need in order to work toward their education and career goals. In turn, society as a whole benefits on an ever increasing level. "Mentoring is something that happens over time - it's a process within a relationship. The benefits unfold gradually, sometimes long after the relationship is over," concluded Co-Director, William Gazecki.
If every person in society set about mentoring at least one person, it might be possible to effectively create the kind of cultural network that could ultimately change the face of society.
"I also saw that mentoring happens in big and small ways. As a professor of film studies and a filmmaker, I work with young people on a regular basis. My hope is that transformative values and a commitment to make a difference are what my students take away from their relationship with me," Dr. Laffey added.
All of the greatest intentions begin with hope. Show Me the Way's most important and profound message is one of meaning, motivation, inspiration and, most of all, hope.
