Blackburn Mentoring works with Ojai Valley students and young adults through one dedicated mentor who meets them by video each week. The mentor helps them choose a few goals, plan the week and follow through, with text check ins between sessions. For students under 18 a parent can join the free 20 minute intro call, agree the goals and get regular updates.
A small valley with a small district
Ojai is a small city in a mountain valley above Ventura, with 7,474 residents in 2025 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. About 26.6% of residents are 65 or older and 18.8% are under 18 (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024). The public school system, Ojai Unified School District, enrolled 2,136 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in 2025 to 2026, according to Ed-Data.
In a valley this size, a student’s choices can feel narrow: one main peer group, a short list of local jobs and a long drive to most internships, college visits and specialized activities. That is where a mentor by video helps, because the conversation can reach well beyond the valley.
What Ojai families bring to a mentor
- Students who want more than the valley offers. A mentor helps a motivated student find and plan for summer programs, online courses, internships and college options, and manage the logistics around them.
- Families who moved up from Los Angeles. A teenager who changed schools and towns at once can lose footing. A mentor gives them structure and one steady adult outside the family during the adjustment.
- Students with nontraditional schooling. Homeschool, independent study and hybrid programs need a strong weekly structure. See mentoring for homeschool students.
- Leaving for college. Moving from a small town to a large campus is a big jump. A mentor can work with a student before and after the move. See college transition mentoring.
- Young adults deciding what is next. A graduate living at home in the valley can drift. A mentor helps with a job search plan, a budget and a timeline. See mentoring after high school.
How sessions work from Ojai
Ojai clients meet by video. The valley is a long drive from our Los Angeles base, and video keeps sessions steady whatever the traffic on the 101 or Highway 33. A reliable internet connection and a quiet room are all that is needed; mentors offer early morning, evening and weekend times. In person meetings take place only in Los Angeles. Nearby families may also see Ventura and Oxnard and Santa Barbara and Montecito. Families anywhere in Southern California can also see our Southern California areas page.
How to start
- Take a short assessment. Tell us about the student or young adult and the goals. It takes about five minutes.
- Have a free 20 minute intro call. For high school students, a parent is welcome to join. We talk through fit, schedule and how sessions would work from Ojai.
- Meet the mentor. New clients are matched with one mentor within two business days.
- Start the plan. 60 minute video sessions, weekly or several times a week, with text and phone check ins between them.
Related
- All Southern California areas
- Mentoring in Ventura and Oxnard
- Mentoring in Camarillo
- Mentoring in Santa Barbara and Montecito
- Mentoring for homeschool students
- Mentoring for high school students
Common questions
Is video mentoring as effective as meeting in person?
For most of what a mentor does, planning, reviewing the week and staying accountable, video works well, especially with text check ins between sessions. Sessions with Ojai clients are by video; in person meetings take place only in Los Angeles.
Do you work with homeschooled or independent study students?
Yes. A mentor helps build the daily structure those programs depend on and coordinates with parents on goals.
Can a mentor help my student look beyond local options?
Yes. Mentors help students research and plan for programs, internships and colleges, then manage the deadlines. They do not write applications or promise admissions.
How involved are parents?
For students under 18 a parent can join the intro call, agree the goals and get regular updates. Young adults usually manage the relationship themselves.
Get started
Looking for a mentor in Ojai? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free 20 minute intro call.
Free, by video, 20 minutes, with a member of our team. Weekdays 9 to 5 Pacific.