MENTOR
On average, in the greater Charlotte area, 55+ youth age out of the foster care system each year.
these youth are at a dramatically increased risk to experience homelessness, unemployment, mental illness, addiction, & Incarceration as adults.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
“One positive, non-parental adult mentoring relationship can improve the likelihood of positive adult outcomes.”
Connection Changes Everything.
Learn more about the lasting impact of CFK’s mentoring program by listening to Freddy & Jaxon’s story:
Youth in foster care experience extreme adversities and are in need of support from caring, committed adults as they transition into adulthood.
Mentoring through CFK gives older youth in foster care the opportunity to connect with someone who will walk alongside and support them through the challenges and transitions they will experience on their journey to adulthood. It is a time for each youth to experience authentic connections, have no-strings-attached fun, and be with people who are interested in their well-being.
Next steps for mentors:
01. Attend a mentor info session
Individuals and/or couples interested in becoming a CFK mentor should plan to attend a Mentor Info Session. This is a “no-commitment” orientation where you will hear from CFK staff about what becoming a mentor looks like in our program. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions and meet other mentors and CFK staff. Attendance at an Info Session is a mandatory prerequisite to our mentor training.
02. Fill out a mentor application
Upon completing the info session, you will be sent the mentor application and asked to fill out a confidentiality agreement and background check. To view the complete process of becoming a mentor, click here.
How to refer a youth to the program:
Know a youth age 11-18 who is currently in foster care through Mecklenburg or Union counties and is interested in connecting with a mentor? If you are a social worker, foster parent, kinship provider, or GAL you can refer an eligible youth through the link below. Reach out to mentor@cfknc.org with any questions.
“We want this to become the norm, for our children in foster care to know that the community and our churches do love them!”
Why this program matters…
Read below to hear directly from youth who have aged out of the foster care system and what life is like when they don’t have anyone to lean on or turn to in crisis:
“Our lives have been so enriched by mentoring William. We went into this thinking we would bring blessing to a foster child but every day we spend with him we are reminded of Gods grace and provision. As Proverbs 11:25 says, ‘Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered’”