Every year, thousands of kids are removed from their living situations to be placed in foster care. These can be tough and trying times. However, people like you, becoming valuable influences in their lives, can make the greatest difference. Foster kids need a mentor who will work with them to help shape their futures.
The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) reports quantitative data about adoption and foster care in the United States. According to the 2016 report, there were a total of 437,465 children enrolled in foster care on September 30th, 2016. Of those children, the majority of which were eight years old or younger.
Our Program
Our programs are located in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. Specializing in long-term residential care, our facilities house up to 24 foster children at any given time. We provide food and shelter alongside a safe and welcoming environment. This can help kids cope with their situations. Our foster kids attend a public school and a local church. Our foster kids attend a public school and a local church. Also, they partake in extracurricular activities, such as swimming, camping, and school or community activities, all of which help build personal character.
You, As a Mentor
As a mentor, you will have the opportunity to work directly with kids in need of a positive influence. Studies show that mentoring has the potential to provide positive outcomes in children’s behavioral and psychological development. An article by Grossman and Rhodes, from the American Journal of Community Psychology, states that the mentoring relationships that lasted longer had the greatest evidence of improvement.
Another study, Mentoring adolescent foster youth, spanning two years and published in 2006, found a positive correlation between mentored youth and their future wellbeing.
“Results suggest that the use of a mentoring programme for older adolescent foster youth represents a particularly beneficial prevention strategy that may help prevent negative outcomes as youth emancipate from the foster care system and transition into young adulthood.”
Furthermore, we would like to draw attention to two key outcomes from these articles. First, successful mentoring can take time and commitment. The longer you’re willing to build a relationship with your mentee, the greater the outcome should be. Second, as a mentor, you have the opportunity to help shape the future of a child who needs your help. Any time and commitment that you put into working with your mentee could be rewarded with a long-lasting relationship and the knowledge and satisfaction of having changed the life of a child for the better.
Learn More About Mentoring a Foster Child
To find out more about how you can help shape a child’s future, contact us today.