Be a Star Person-Mentor a Youth

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What does it mean to be a "Star Person?"

By sharing your life and free time, you can pass on your unique knowledge and life experience to help a young person grow. Our One-to-One Mentoring Program supports youth in foster care throughout Litchfield Country.

These teens are in need of positive role models to open the doors to new experiences and help them in shaping a successful future. Please share this with anyone who can be a positive force in a youth’s life! Just a few hours a month can make an enormous difference!

Research has shown that mentoring works- teens with a mentor have less stress, greater satisfaction with life, better overall health, educational attainment, and a reduction in risky behaviors.

5 Resons to Mentor: "I think the mentoring program is a great way to give the kids another way to look at the world. I would say that the biggest reason why I wanted to mentor was to have a positive influence on a child who has been through some rough times. It is a way for them to see there can be joy in everyday life and that there are other people who care about their well being." -2013-14 Mentor

"Mentoring enriches my life and hopefully the life of a child, in a non-threatening and supportive environment. I have an "ear" to listen and some time to share." -A retired teacher and 2013-14 Mentor

"When my youngest went off to college at age 18, I read an article about a girl her age who had "aged out" of the foster care program. I was shocked! This was a child being thrown out into the world! The girl in the article found a mentor, and that made a huge difference in her life. So I began looking into mentoring. I could certainly give up a few hours a week, I had lots of skill from raising two kids, and maybe I could help make someone's life easier, or less stressful, or just a little more hopeful. I've gotten back a whole lot more than I've put into mentoring! It's been a very interesting experience, and I wouldn't give it up for anything. Of all of the volunteer work I've done in my life, this role of mentor has been the most gratifying. " - Nancy, Mentor since 2007

"For me, the best part about mentoring is to actually see a young person come into his own. Sometimes the influence we have over a mentee may seem inconsequential but I've found that you only need to be a part of a person's life and he can do the rest. Our experiences as adults can be very meaningful to a mentee, especially when he knows you care. " - 2012-2014 Mentor

"I enjoy being with kids, it keeps me young. I enjoy the challenge and the need is great. It definitely gives my life a sense of purpose; as my kids and grandkids grow up and older and spend less time with me, mentoring fills that void. I like teaching, and mentoring gives me a chance to teach things I like." - Rick, 2011-2013 Mentor