PHONE
Call Kaitlin Irgang at 330-980-4505
About our mentor program
Providing a mentor to foster youth shows them that they are important; they are not alone, and that someone cares for them.
“Every Kid Is ONE Caring Adult Away from Being a Success Story.” — Josh Shipp, Former Foster Youth
A mentor may be the only consistent relationship – the only semblance of family – in the life of a youth who has experienced the foster care system.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
About becoming a foster care mentor with NOAS
How does the foster care mentor program work?
Ignite mentors serve as “wise and trusted guides” to current and former foster youth. After screening and training, mentors are matched with a mentee based on interests and location. Mentors are asked to engage in a minimum of 6 hours of monthly activities with their mentee.
What does it take to become a mentor?
Interested participants will attend a virtual orientation to learn more. If interested, twelve hours of virtual training is required. Potential mentors will then complete an online application, background checks, and a drug/alcohol screening that can cost up to $100.
How long is the program?
Mentors and mentees make a minimum of a one-year commitment to the program to spend at least 6 hours of in person monthly activities and off week phone calls/texts with mentee.
What am I required to do as a mentor?
Complete the training and screening requirements.
Spend a minimum of six hours per month for one year together.
Engage in outings. Be a good listener.
Participate in 4 group activities throughout the year.
Work on personal goals and life skills based on mentee’s needs.
Dedicating patience, time, and energy to a youth.
What are the benefits of being a foster care mentor?
Every youth needs to know they matter, they are not alone and someone cares for them. Foster youth often lack dependable relationships that begin during childhood and continue into adulthood. You can provide the secure, caring, and consistent relationship needed for youth to achieve their greatest potential.
Is there training provided for foster care mentors?
Yes, twelve hours of training is required to help prepare the mentor to excel. Training topics include but are not limited to trauma and youth, skills on working with youth, and listening skills.
How often will I meet with the mentee?
Mentors will spend a minimum of six hours a month with their mentee and make phone calls/texts on the week they do not meet. In addition, there are also 4 group activities each year planned by the coordinator to meet other mentors/mentees.
What is the matching process between the mentor and mentee?
Once approved, mentors and mentees complete a survey of interests, hobbies and skills as well as demographic and travel preferences.
Ready To Take The Next Step
By becoming a Foster Care Mentor, you can make a difference in the life of a foster child who needs a helping hand, a connection, and someone to champion their well-being. Mentors come from all backgrounds and walks of life.
Most mentors may be matched as quickly as possible after submitting their application and completing the training and screening requirements.
Plus, Foster Care Mentors have a mentor program coach to guide them!
Did You Know?
- Foster youth lack a permanent figure in their lives to serve as a role model and mentor.
- You can become an influential presence in a child’s life without the full commitment of foster care or adoption.
- Foster youth lack dependable relationships that begin during childhood and continue on into adulthood.
- You can provide the secure, caring, and consistent relationship needed for teens and young adults to achieve their greatest potential.
what our mentors have said about us
NOAS Mentor Testimonials
Mentor JC has enjoyed her time with DW. Not only do they do fun things, but JC has also given DW the opportunity to volunteer with seniors. The seniors at the facility adore DW and he enjoys being able to help and spend time with them. JC comments, “It’s been nice to expose him to my workplace and also have others that care about him.” Exposing youth to community events and volunteerism is so important.
Mentor CT met MB in December 2019. She states “MB was hesitant and anxious at first. But, I kept showing up and slowly built trust. We continued as mentor/mentee until she aged out of the program in June 2022. Even though she has aged out of the mentor program, we still talk and visit. MB has grown so much and I have learned as much from her as she has from me.”
Mentor MA shared, “At Swings & Things, KD and I were collectively able to buy him an orange hat. He wears it a lot of the time when we hang out now. It seems like a really trivial thing but that’s when I learned his favorite color was orange. I feel like we have grown a lot closer after that.”
Mentor LE noted, “I have enjoyed making a budget together and then seeing her actually start to make better financial decisions.”
Begin your path to mentorship by filling out the form
