Step Up Foster Youth Mentor Ministry

Do you have a heart for youth? Would you like to make a difference in a child's life?  Are you willing to commit to at least 2 hours a week to build a relationship with a youth?

Then...Mentoring a foster youth may be for you!

We work in conjunction with the County of San Diego to match foster youth, typically ages 6 to 18 with mentors. Currently we have approximately 125 youth in wait for a mentor.  Many of these children have not seen much stability in their lives and as a mentor we are able to offer some stability, friendship and guidance through Christ centered eyes.

As you can imagine these kids have had a difficult road through no fault of their own and have seen most adults in their life (parents/relatives) fail them.   It is really important as a mentor that we do not. It is amazing to see how an investment in time with our youth can many times change the path that their lives take. Studies have shown over and over again that with foster youth those that have at least one consistent caring adult influence in their lives are less likely to go down a destructive path.

To offer our foster youth the most fulfilling experience we ask the following commitment from our mentors:

- To commit to at least one year with your youth

- Meet at least once a week and spend at least 2 to 3 hours with your youth (of course if you are able to spend more time, that would be great)

- Foster youth can be in residential or group homes and sometimes can be placed in different homes through out the year. We ask that you are able to commit to picking your child up where ever they may be placed within that year in the City of San Diego to maintain the consistency in the mentoring relationship.

Does this sound like you?  Then you are invited to an orientation Sunday, October 12 at 2 PM in Room 252P for an overview of the mentoring program.

We look forward to meeting you!

Tina Snow Thornton

Step Up Foster Youth Mentor Ministry