Mentor Program Mission Statement
The mission of A Family For Every Child's Mentor Program is to unite foster care and at-risk youth in our community with enthusiastic, dedicated, and caring adults who can provide friendship and encouragement while supporting them through life’s various transitions, instilling independence and ultimately building long lasting bonds.
Program Goals
Since the Mentor Program’s inception in 2007, the vision of the program has been to connect youth with positive members of their community to build friendships and have role models who:
- Provide youth with support and guidance
- Provide the youth with someone to call and hang out "just because."
- Provide a potentially permanent bond for the youth.
- Teach independent living/life skills, instill creativity, and promote the youth's self esteem.
Who We Serve
A Family For Every Child's Mentor Program currently serves youth in Lane County Oregon as well as the greater Portland area. We serve children who are at risk and in need of permanent connections due to being in foster care or have been exposed to experience that could hinder their full potential.
How Do I Refer My Youth?
Parents, caseworkers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, foster parents... almost anyone can refer a youth! A pillar of our program is that all youth participation is voluntary -- every youth in our program is in it because they want to be and no youth shall ever be forced to have a mentor. Know a youth who needs mentor?
What Does A Mentor Do?
There aren’t any typical mentor matches as we don’t have typical youth or mentors. The beauty of A Family For Every Child’s Mentor Program is that it allows for each mentor match to be distinctive. Mentors and youth are matched based upon their mutual interests, not by numbers on a waiting list. Your mentor experience will be as unique as you are! What are your interests? What are your passions? What do you like to do to pass the time? Mentoring is so easy because all you have to do is include your youth in the things you already like to do!
How Do I Become A Mentor?
Becoming a mentor doesn’t have to be a daunting process. Most mentors are matched within six weeks of submitting their application! You’ll find that it’s easier than ever to make a difference in a youth’s life.
Non Traditional Mentor Program
*Currently paused due to COVID 19*
New for Fall 2019, our NTMP places our Volunteers in specific locations within Lane County. We are kicking off the new program at the Eugene Library and area middle and high schools. Volunteers will be available in the Teen Center / Family Resource Rooms to meet with youth for homework support, conversation, play a game of cards, etc. It is our belief that organic connections will be made. After establishing a relationship with a youth for several months, transitioning to our traditional Mentor Program is always an option.
Requirements include :
- 19 + yrs old
- 2-3 hours , once or twice a week
- Complete our Volunteer application including 3 references / background check
