Information for Youth about Powerhouse
Multnomah County Independent Living News (PDF 325 KB)
The Powerhouse Mentoring Program is designed for you – teens (13 – 21 years old) who are living in foster care. Mentors and mentees spend about 10 hours together each month doing things that the two of you enjoy and want to do together. You each commit to a period of one year of spending time together and getting to know each other.
Mentors…..
Are adults from the community who like youth and choose to volunteer their time and will:
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stay with the Powerhouse program for at least one year. If the mentor and mentee choose, you can continue to see each other once the year is over.
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keep things you tell them between the two of you. But, if they hear that you or someone else has been hurt, may be in danger of being hurt or hurting someone else or is being abused in any way, they are required by law to make a report.
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need to be treated with respect, as any friend would be. Please plan to return their calls, keep scheduled appointments with them and let them know if you
need to change plans with them for any reason
Mentees…..
Are youth in foster care who desire a mentoring relationship with an adult who is a friend rather than a teacher, case worker, or foster parent and will:
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actively participate in meeting with your mentor on a regular basis and help to build a relationship that works for both of you.
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commit to seeing your mentor for a year, approximately 10 hours a month.
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be treated by your mentor with respect.
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let your caseworker know right away if for some reason you are not comfortable with your mentor
If you think you would like to have a mentor contact your DHS caseworker and ask him/her to make a referral to the program for you. You can also send us an email if you have questions. Email us at: info@powerhouseprogram.org.