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40 people are interested
Become a mentor! Support youth in foster care or being adopted
ORGANIZATION: Fostering Change for Children
Please visit the new page to apply.
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40 people are interested
We are looking for dedicated mentors to join our program! AdoptMent (Adoption Mentoring) is a specialized program that brings foster and adopted youth together with adult mentors who were adopted or in foster care as children. This program offers young people and their adult mentors a unique opportunity and a fun, safe space to build meaningful connections. During their time together, the mentor and mentees share feelings, thoughts, and questions surrounding their unique life experiences as well as enjoy activities that focus on personal development, identity, independence, personal skill building, and having fun. The goal of our program is to provide foster/adopted youth with a significant level of support, advocacy, and guidance that will help prevent adoption disruptions, support opportunities for permanency of older youth, and help ambivalent youth become open to the idea of adoption. The connection mentees build with their mentors is underlined with a mutual validation of feelings and experiences, which helps to create meaningful, long-lasting relationships.
AdoptMent Program Logistics: AdoptMent holds group sessions every other Thursday from September through June. Sessions are from 5:30-7:30 PM at New Alternatives for Children, on West 26 th street in Manhattan. During these gatherings, mentors and mentees participate in creative, fun and dynamic activities to address themes such as identity, self-esteem, leadership, career development, and grief and loss, while integrating the underlying theme of adoption and foster care.
Mentor Training and Support: Mentors are offered a comprehensive orientation, which includes an overview of the program and provides information about a variety of topics such as: the foster care system, role and expectations of a mentor, confidentiality, cultural awareness, adoption-related issues, etc. Mentoring isn’t always easy, so the program provides mentors with support through the successes and challenges. Monthly check-ins and/or trainings are offered to help mentors navigate their relationships throughout the program.
How to Apply: To become a mentor with AdoptMent, you will need to fill out an application, meet with program staff, and go through a screening process before you can begin the program. More information about these steps will be provided to interested individuals. To apply to, please e-mail Liv Anna Homstead, program specialist, at livanna@fosteringchangeforchildren.org and visit our website at www.fosteringchangeforchildren.org/index.php/adoptment/about.
AdoptMent is a program of Fostering Change for Children and partners with New Alternatives for Children and Mentoring USA.
More opportunities with Fostering Change for Children
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About Fostering Change for Children
Location:
Main Office, New York CIty, NY 10038, US
Mission Statement
Fostering Change for Children is a non-profit organization that innovates and promotes positive change within the child welfare system. We aim to inspire new and different ways of thinking and working.
Based in New York, our organization is dedicated to improving the lives of children, families, and the individuals that support them through a wide range of innovative programs and professional trainings focused on fostering meaningful connections and finding positive and permanent solutions for youth in foster care.
While we approach the system holistically, one child at a time is a necessary mantra: it helps us focus on individuals while never losing sight of the bigger picture.
We believe that our collective energy and focus will drive change. Every member of our team can have an impact, first by understanding the complex issues facing foster children and the system that serves them, and then by embracing creative approaches to these challenges. We know, without a doubt, that each of us has the power to change the world-- one child at a time.
Description
Fostering Change for Children currently operates Adoptment, Children’s Corps, and a series of specialized trainings and consultations. Each of our programs is dedicated to improving permanency options for youth in the child welfare system, whether by providing connections to adult mentors, passionate and well-trained workers, or guidance and support to the large network of professionals working within the system. We strongly believe in collaboration and are always open to new ideas, and encourage anyone who would like to explore the possibility of a partnership to contact us at info@fosteringchangeforchildren.org.
AdoptmentA specialized mentoring program that matches youth, who are currently in foster care or are adopted, with adults who were adopted and/or spent time in foster care.
Children's CorpsA program that recruits college graduates and professionals willing to commit two years to working in NYC’s foster care and preventive services to help improve outcomes for children and families involved with the child welfare system.
TrainingFostering Change for Children provides trainings on a wide range of topics related to foster care and adoption, and partners with agencies and organizations to provide coaching and guidance around specific case or program issues.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
37 W. 26th StNew York City, NY 10038
DATE POSTED
August 18, 2016
SKILLS
- Child Development
- Youth Services
- Child Welfare
- Child Care
GOOD FOR
N/A
REQUIREMENTS
- Background Check
- Must be at least 22
- Orientation or Training
- 1 year, attendance at most bi-weekly sessions
- Have been adopted or in foster care