MENTOR: Be a friend and guide to a teen in foster care.

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Volunteer Mentors serve as a friend and guide to youth and young adults in foster care to help empower them to make positive life choices that enable them to make a successful transition to independent living and to maximize their full potential.

Mentors are matched one-on-one with a pre-teen or teen in foster care. This volunteer role includes the following responsibilities:

• Provide friendship, support and inspiration to the young person with whom you have been matched. Be willing to share your experiences and ideas and to have a listening ear.
• Assist young person in accomplishing tangible skills needed in daily living such as, cooking, budgeting, and apartment living. You may also assist with career exploration, job shadowing, and educational planning. Also assist young person in the development of intangible skills such as problem solving, assertiveness, self-confidence, and self-esteem.
• Attend ongoing training sessions and/or special activities with the young person as offered.
• Work as a team member with Boys and Girls Haven staff, social worker, foster youth/young adult, and others to help a young person build a strong foundation as they enter independent living.

Volunteers must be 21 years of age or older, be free from any criminal record, provide their own transportation, and exhibit emotional stability and maturity as well as a sincere interest in helping youth develop to their full potential.