Kids in Watts got some help escaping the summer heat Saturday thanks to a water party hosted by Red Eye, a mentorship nonprofit started a decade ago.
Executive Director Justin Mayo and a group of mentors gathered on a grass field in Imperial Courts Public Housing Project with an oversized beach ball, dozens of water guns and an extra long Slip N' Slide. The semiannual event is one of Red Eye's biggest, but it's just a small part of the group's presence in this community.
A boy sprays a group of volunteers as they struggle for control in Tug of War. A boy sprays a group of volunteers as they struggle for control in Tug of War. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
"I love seeing the families within Watts becoming stronger and more unified. Our non-profit isn't giving hand-outs but rather a hand-up in life," Mayo said.
Every Saturday at 11:11 a.m., kids can meet mentors near the Imperial Courts Gymnasium for games, hang out time and trips to a local convenience store. Sometimes Mayo and other mentors will take kids to a park, sports game or nail salon.
Mayo and Red Eye intend to stabilize youth in what can be a particularly vulnerable section of South Los Angeles by providing an escape and a shoulder to lean on.
Volunteers and kids take a break from water activities to eat pizza at picnic tables. Volunteers and kids take a break from water activities to eat pizza at picnic tables. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
"The kids love consistency and they see the same people coming back all the time," volunteer Tessa Alexander said. "They get to know us and it's a relationship. It's all about community and it's all about making them feel like family. We're a big family."
Mayo said Red Eye's ten-year presence in Watts has led to a sense of trust between the group and residents.
"The families can see through your motives so quickly," he said. "They know that through the good, bad and ugly we haven't quit or abandoned them as they have seen happen too often."
Along the way, Red Eye has grown to include six chapters worldwide, and Mayo has made visits to both the United Nations and the White House. The nonprofit also operates in other areas of L.A., such as Skid Row, where it held an event on Mother's Day to give makeovers to moms.
No matter how far Red Eye's reach expands, kids in Imperial Courts count on Mayo, Alexander and other mentors showing up every week, just as they have for 10 years.
Alexander said, "You'll find us here every Saturday with open arms, with kids jumping up all over us. It's the most welcoming environment."
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Red Eye Founder Justin Mayo carries a water gun wielding boy. "Every child deserves the best. Just because someone was born in a different neighborhood doesn't mean they should have an unfair chance in life." (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) Red Eye Founder Justin Mayo carries a water gun wielding boy. “Every child deserves the best. Just because someone was born in a different neighborhood doesn’t mean they should have an unfair chance in life.” (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
A girl sprays Tessa Alexander with water. Alexander is part of a core group of Red Eye members that spends time at Imperial Courts during the week and on Saturdays. "There’s no real set system of how we go about things, it’s more about what the kids want to do. They might just want to talk or play a game. We go off of how they feel," said Alexander. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) A girl sprays Tessa Alexander with water. Alexander is part of a core group of Red Eye members that spends time at Imperial Courts during the week and on Saturdays. “There’s no real set system of how we go about things, it’s more about what the kids want to do. They might just want to talk or play a game. We go off of how they feel,” said Alexander. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
A boy attempts to aim a large water gun. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) A boy attempts to aim a large water gun. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
A water gun battle between cousins spills into the family's front yard at Imperial Courts Public Housing Project in Watts. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) A water gun battle between cousins spills into the family’s front yard at Imperial Courts Public Housing Project in Watts. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
Three kids walk on the Slip N' Slide as they prepare for a water balloon tossing game. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) Three kids walk on the Slip N’ Slide as they prepare for a water balloon tossing game. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
A girl pushes an oversized beach ball through a grass field. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) A girl pushes an oversized beach ball through a grass field. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
A group of kids lay strewn on the Slip N' Slide after a wipeout. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) A group of kids lay strewn on the Slip N’ Slide after a wipeout. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
Volunteers fill buckets of water balloons. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) Volunteers fill buckets of water balloons. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
A volunteer helps a young girl use a water gun. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) A volunteer helps a young girl use a water gun. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
During a shade break, a boy fends off water attacks from his cousins. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) During a shade break, a boy fends off water attacks from his cousins. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
A young boy hitches a ride on a Red Eye volunteer's shoulders. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) A young boy hitches a ride on a Red Eye volunteer’s shoulders. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
Three girls use inner tubes to bump one another. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) Three girls use inner tubes to bump one another. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
Two girls take turns pushing an oversized beach ball through a baseball field. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) Two girls take turns pushing an oversized beach ball through a baseball field. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
Volunteers and kids take a break from water activities to eat pizza at picnic tables. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) Volunteers and kids take a break from water activities to eat pizza at picnic tables. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
Volunteers and kids take a break from water activities to eat pizza at picnic tables. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) Volunteers and kids take a break from water activities to eat pizza at picnic tables. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
Justin Mayo sits with a group of kids as the water party winds down. Later he said, "The impact and change in lives inspires me. These kids have revolutionized my life." (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) Justin Mayo sits with a group of kids as the water party winds down. Later he said, “The impact and change in lives inspires me. These kids have revolutionized my life.” (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
Four children ride an inflatable dinosaur down a Slip N' Slide. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) Four children ride an inflatable dinosaur down a Slip N’ Slide. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
A boy aims high as a volunteer pivots to avoid the stream of water. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) A boy aims high as a volunteer pivots to avoid the stream of water. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
Volunteers and kids take a break from water activities to eat pizza at picnic tables. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) Volunteers and kids take a break from water activities to eat pizza at picnic tables. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
A volunteer watches as a girl sprays water at a group of kids. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) A volunteer watches as a girl sprays water at a group of kids. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
A boy dozes off after entangling his arm in the rope that was used for Tug of War. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) A boy dozes off after entangling his arm in the rope that was used for Tug of War. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
Two kids take turns refilling water guns as another boy picks his next target. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) Two kids take turns refilling water guns as another boy picks his next target. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
Two mentors and a kid take a break from dodging water guns to pose for a picture. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) Two mentors and a kid take a break from dodging water guns to pose for a picture. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
A boy looses his footing as he struggles for control of an inflatable dinosaur with Arielle Caputo. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) A boy looses his footing as he struggles for control of an inflatable dinosaur with Arielle Caputo. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
A young boy washes himself off with a hose after the party. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media) A young boy washes himself off with a hose after the party. (Sean Myers/USC Annenberg Media)
