A 2008 study published in Pediatrics used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to determine if foster youth with adult mentors have a smoother transition to adulthood.  The results indicate that mentored youth report better health, less thoughts of suicide, and less risk of sexually transmitted disease.  Mentored youth were also less likely to hurt someone in a fight.   Foster youth with mentors appeared to be slightly more inclined to participate in higher education.

Mentors make a difference.  Guidance from a caring, consistent, non-parental adult can enhance the safety net for youth.  With a grant from the Victoria S. and Bradley L. Geist Foundation, Family Programs Hawaii has launched Mentoring Connections.  We seek to recruit adult volunteers on Oahu who can mentor youth as they prepare to leave foster care and transition into their adult lives.  The goal of Mentoring Connection is to match each teen to a caring adult mentor who is part of their life both before and after they exit foster care.  Mentors commit to spending three to four hours each month with a mentee doing fun recreational activities as well as practical outings to work on a youth’s goals.  All volunteers complete an application and screening process.  Volunteers are offered initial mentor training and ongoing support.  Interested individuals can complete the volunteer profile and background check forms at www.familyprogramshawaii.org.  Foster youth in need of a mentor, can be referred to Mentoring Connection by downloading the referral form on the web site or by contacting the Program Coordinator, Jennifer O’Donnell at 540-2565.

Click here to download the Mentoring Connection Brochure.