Amaris Ministries . About Foster Care

What is the Foster Youth Mentor Program?

Building Connctions:
The Foster Youth Mentor Program provides friendship, guidance and stability to foster children through one-on-one mentorships with willing Christian men and women.

Changing Lives:
Mentors in the Foster Youth Mentor Program change lives through consistent wekly one-hour visits with their mentees.

Equipping for Success:
The Foster Youth Mentor Program offers practical training to prepare mentors as they minister to children from hard places.

About Us
The Amaris Ministries Foster Youth Mentor Program exists to meet the varying relational, social and emotional needs of Imperial Valley foster youth. This program provides friendship, guidance and stability for foster children ages 4 - 18, through individual one-on-one mentorships. All mentors operate on a volunteer basis and thus do not receive compensation for their time. This program works in conjunction with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) to offer these services. Amaris Minitries Foster Youth Mentors do not have to be CASA volunteers, however they are required to complete the applications for both Amaris Ministries and CASA, and must meet the same screening and training requirements as CASA volunteers.

Requirements:

To be a mentor you must be at least 21 years of age.

Each selected mentor must commit to meet weekly with his or her mentee for approximately one to two hours a week for 18 months minimum.

The goal of the weekly mentor-mentee meetings is to cultivate a relationship built on trust. Mentors have the freedom to choose their outings. (Sample outings include bowling, the movies, lunch, etc.) The mentor's goal is to develop a consistent, healthy relationship with the mentee.

All children engaged in the program have given their consent and are willing participants - no child is ever forced to participate in a mentorship.

Male mentors may only be matched with male youth. Female mentors may be matched with either male or female youth.

Foster mentors will maintain contact with mentees regardless of their location within the Imperial Valley.

Amaris Ministries would love to help walk you through the process of becoming a Foster Youth Mentor.