Mentor a Youth

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The Child Safe Michigan Community-Based Mentoring Program is the only successful program in the state of Michigan that is dedicated primarily to youth in foster care ages 14-23. Not only do youth in foster care have to deal with age appropriate problems: they also have to face being separated from family, residing in new homes, attending new schools and the hardest issue of all, and dealing with the abuse/neglect that led to their placement in foster care. Given all of this, our youth are presented with a myriad of risk factors. Mentoring is a proven and effective way to combat these negative experiences. The mentor/mentee relationship offers the youth the chance to develop a relationship with an adult, other than an authority figure, who then becomes a friend, role model, and advocate for the youth. This caring and consistent relationship leads to increased self-esteem, improved social skills, additional opportunities for success in life, and an improved outlook on the future for the youth. This program requires a one-year commitment where the mentor meets 2-4 times a month with the youth within the community.