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Opportunities to Serve
• Mentoring Foster Children & Youth
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Foster Care Ministry Plan

Foster Care Ministry Handbook (.doc)

Foster Care Ministry Contact
Action Ministry Center
s 805-987-0300

MINISTRIES


Foster Care Ministry
Mentoring Foster Children and Youth
A Ministry Serving Foster and Adoptive Parents, Children and Youth

ACTION has a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County and with Casa Pacifica to provide mentors for foster children and youth.

What is a mentor?
A mentor is someone who comes alongside a foster child or youth for the purpose of being a positive influence, helping them to develop their strengths and fulfill their potential. A mentor develops a supportive relationship by spending time with the young person. Mentors are both teachers and listeners offering encouragement and guidance. They help the young person solve problems, access resources and develop the skills and interests needed to build a life of hope.

Whom do they mentor?
Mentors are always matched by gender. The age of the foster youth determines the specific mentoring goals. Mentors decide which age group they prefer.

1. 9 - 15 years. Younger foster youth in care. They can be in a group home or with a foster parent. The specific mentoring goal for this age group is to expose them to different experiences and help them develop their interests. Time spent together include special outings, museums, theater, sports, music, outdoor activities etc.

2. 15 ½ -18 years. Older foster youth in care. This is the time when the youth need to prepare for emancipation. At 18, foster youth “age out” of the system and need to be equipped to find housing, a job, transportation, and have the skills to budget and live independently. They need mentors who will help them access resources and prepare for this transition out of the foster care system.

3. Up to 18 years. The courts can appoint volunteers called CASA’s (Court-Appointed-Special- Advocates} to serve as both a mentor and an advocate for a foster youth in care. The responsibilities of advocates include writing reports, attending placement meetings and making recommendations for the child. (The CASA program is run by Interface Children & Family Services. Volunteers will need to commit to completing 40 hours of initial training and an on-going time commitment of about 2-5 hours a week to be a CASA.)

What do Mentors commit to?
• Mentors model Christ’s love in action. They need to be members of a church, have previous ministry experience, and be active in their own spiritual growth.
• Mentors spend an average of 1-2 hours a week with their foster youth for a minimum of 12 months.
• Mentors need to have the time to commit and the means to be reliable. They need to have a car, no criminal record and complete a background check and screening interview.
• Mentors are not expected to be the only ones involved. Mentors access other people and resources and help the foster youth become a part of the larger community.
• Mentors can participate in training, coaching and prayer groups for their own support and growth.

If you want to become a mentor, contact the Action Ministry Center by
e-mail or call at 805-987-0300.