The Need for Mentoring
Teens in foster care face some daunting challenges. Not having had the nurturing, stability, and role-modeling that children need, they are unprepared for independence and very often have poor outcomes when they age out of the system at age 18 – incarceration, homelessness, unintended pregnancy, interrupted education, and significant mental health problems. Mentoring can make a difference that lasts a lifetime.
National research shows that at-risk teens in formal mentoring programs benefit academically and socially, and have lower rates of substance abuse and delinquency than their non-mentored peers. When they do age out of the system, they can rely on valuable connections and skills to support their independence. And years down the road, the value of a mentor's commitment can be seen in young adults who make better choices and live better and happier lives.
Our Mentors
Our mentors are caring, stable adult volunteers who like teens. Mentor and mentee get to know each other by planning and sharing fun activities like hiking, making pizza, or attending a local event, slowly building a relationship of trust and support.
Mentors commit to spending at least 10 hours a month with their mentees, for a minimum of one year. Mentors are carefully screened and trained, and then matched with a teen based on his/her interests and needs.
Our Mentees
Our mentees are boys and girls aged 14 to 21 in foster care in the Gorge area. They participate in the mentoring program voluntarily (i.e., they WANT mentors), and are screened and coached by the Mentor For Success match counselor.
If you are a foster teen in Hood River County or Wasco County and think you'd 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 contact us to tell us you're interested or to ask questions: info@mentor4success.org, or 541-991-8091.
Our Staff
Bonnie New and Elaine Castles are our Gorge area coordinators.
Bonnie is a retired physician from Hood River. Her commitment to foster teens stems from her work as a CASA (court-appointed special advocate) in the Gorge.
Elaine is a PhD clinical psychologist who lives in Mosier. In addition to volunteering as a CASA, she works as a consultant with the South Wasco County Public Schools and the Mid-Columbia Center for Living.
Maria Hein of Powerhouse Mentoring is our program director. She has led the Powerhouse program in Multnomah County for 10 years. Sue Thoroughman is an MSW counselor providing training and match support for Mentor For Success and Powerhouse.
Our Partners
Our local working partners include Department of Human Services, Juvenile Department, Commission on Children & Families, Independent Living Program of Next Door, Inc., and Mid-Columbia Center for Living.
Becoming a Mentor
Get started today! In three easy steps, you'll be on your way to making a world of difference for a foster teen:
- Contact us to schedule an informational appointment and/or to request the Mentor For Success volunteer application: info@mentor4success.org, or 541-991-8091.
- Attend our next New Mentor training (see below).
Other Ways to Help Our Kids
- Make a donation!
Please make your check out to Mentor For Success and mail it to the address below. We would be pleased to send a note of acknowledgement for donations made in honor of or in memory of someone special in your life. Please include that information with your check.
Mentor For Success/Powerhouse is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
- Help with office tasks or one-time events.
- Provide on-the-job training in your business for a motivated foster youth.
- Provide event tickets or sponsor activities for our matches.
- Invite us to speak at your service club, workplace, or religious organization.
- Know someone who would be a dynamite mentor? Send him/her our way!
New Mentor Training
Our next New Mentor training will be Saturday, January 14, 2012 in Hood River. You must turn in your application in advance.
In-Kind Kindness
We salute the following for their generous in-kind support:
- Soujanya Rao (Cedar Rapids, IA) - Graphic design
- Print It / Sign Media (Hood River, OR) - Printing
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for helping us serve our community's kids!
Contact Us
Mentor For Success
PMB 166
2149 Cascade Ave, #106A
Hood River, OR 97031
tel (541) 991-8091 fax (541) 716-5027
www.mentor4success.org info@mentor4success.org
Coordinators:
Bonnie New bnew@mentor4success.org (541) 490-9919
Elaine Castles ecastles@mentor4success.org (541) 296-0655
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