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Turning grief into action through programs that educate and advocate to save lives
OUR INITIATIVES
SEA Program

Mentorship & support for under privileged middle school students navigating academic challenges.

Driving Change

A traffic safety movement combining education, activism, & innovation to prevent deaths.

why we began
For Emily Rose Shane
After the loss of their daughter Emily in a traffic collision, The Emily Shane Foundation was founded in 2011 by Ellen and Michel Shane with a simple but urgent belief: young lives deserve protection, opportunity, and care.
Through its SEA program, the Foundation empowers underserved middle school students with personalized tutoring and mentorship. In 2024, it was named a California Nonprofit of the Year by State Senator Ben Allen. Building on this impact, Driving Change extends the mission to confront traffic violence through education, advocacy, and community action.
OUR INITIATIVES
The SEA Program
The Successful Educational Achievement Program connects underserved students with trained mentors/tutors. Through personalized support, students build the academic skills and confidence to thrive in school and beyond.
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Personalized academic mentorship

Each student is paired with a trained college mentor/tutor who builds a trusted, big-sibling–style relationship and provides personalized academic and learning strategies.

Partnerships

We collaborate with universities, schools, and community organizations across Los Angeles. Together, we deliver mentorship, education, and support that reaches students where they are.

#PassItForward

For every mentoring session, students are asked to pass on the kindness they receive through a simple act of good. These deeds honor Emily’s belief in compassion and help build social awareness in our youth.
OUR INITIATIVES
Driving Change
Driving Change addresses traffic violence through education, advocacy, and community action. We work across systems to prevent and protect young lives and confront traffic violence as the public health crisis it is.
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The Empty Chair Club

Using the symbol of an empty chair, this campaign illustrates how reckless driving decisions can permanently affect families and communities. Partnering with the California Office of Traffic Safety, it aims to shift public perception and encourage safer driving behavior.

21 Miles in Malibu

21 Miles in Malibu is a documentary examining the dangers of the Pacific Coast Highway. Through stories of victims’ families, including Emily Shane’s, the film exposes outdated infrastructure and weak regulation behind a road known to be unsafe.

Opinion: The Malibu Times

The Driving Change column is a bi-weekly opinion series in The Malibu Times written by Michel Shane that examines traffic safety issues on Malibu’s Pacific Coast Highway. Through commentary, data, and policy analysis, the column highlights the shortcomings and potential options.
How you can help

Let's make a difference
in others' lives.

Donate
Your contribution supports the mission of The Emily Shane Foundation. You may choose to provide general support, allowing funds to be directed where they are needed most, or designate your gift to the SEA Program, Driving Change, or divide your donation between initiatives.
Join Us
We welcome volunteers across many areas of our work, including program support and community engagement. Individuals interested in assisting with fundraising events and Foundation initiatives are encouraged to get involved and contribute their time and expertise.
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Our Awards
Since our inception, The Emily Shane Foundation has grown into a trusted force for change. Our impact has been recognized at the highest levels.

In 2013, co-founders Ellen and Michel Shane were awarded the Commander of Merit of the Companionate of Merit issued by Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem.

In 2014, they were honored with the Dolphin Award by the Malibu Times.

In 2016, President Barack Obama honored them with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Service. 


In 2022, Ellen was awarded the Women's Leadership Award by the Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce.


In 2024, California State Senator Ben Allen named the Foundation a California Nonprofit of the Year.

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