The Powerhouse Mentoring Program provides one-on-one community-based mentoring for Multnomah County youth, ages 13-21, in the foster care system. Youth who are matched with a Powerhouse mentor spend at least 10 hours a month in contact with their mentor for a minimum of one year.
Why is mentoring considered am important ingredient in the transition plan? We know from national research that ‘teens who experience good mentoring relationships may have the 
following positive outcomes:
• Less likely to initiate drug and alcohol use
• Less likely to hit someone
• Skip fewer days of school
• Feel more competent about their ability to do well in school
• Receive slightly higher grades
• Report more positive relationships with friends and family
A recent briefing from Child Trends cited mentoring as a strategy in preparing young people to make a successful transition into adulthood. It went on to say that mentoring appears to be a particularly effective way to help low-income and minority youth increase academic motivation as well as “encourage students to consider postsecondary educational opportunities”.
One of the mentees wrote this about her mentor:
I enjoy hanging out with her because it gives me the opportunity to express myself and know that someone is listening…just doing girl things. My mentor is the best!