BECOME A MENTOR

Eligibility, what to expect, and more…

How do I become a mentor?

  • 1
    ATTEND

    Email kecia@agingup.org to register for a one-hour orientation where you’ll learn everything you need to know

  • 2
    APPLY

    Submit an application with 4 references

  • 3
    INTERVIEW

    Upon approved application, an interview will be scheduled and references checked

  • 4
    TRAIN

    Upon a successful interview, you will be invited to training (totaling 20 hours) and begin the clearance process

  • 5
    MENTOR

    After successful training and clearances, you will be matched with a youth and your exciting path of empowering begins!

Our 5-step process ensures safety, commitment and mutual fit.

What are Aging UP’s requirements to become a mentor?

  • Must have an interest in volunteering to work with youth 13 years or older
  • Must be 25 years old or older
  • Agree to a one-year commitment, in addition to varying enrollment and training time
  • Must pass background checks and 20+ hours of pre-match training
  • Adhere to all Aging UP policies and procedures
  • Commit to mentoring (approximately 8 hours over at least 2 visits)

In-Person Mentoring

  • Commit to regular communication with youth — a minimum of eight hours, over at least two visits per month
  • Willing to travel within Sacramento County to maintain the relationship should youth relocate
  • Must have a reliable vehicle, current insurance, and clean driving record

Virtual-Only Mentoring

  • Commit to weekly communication with youth through calls, text, video chats and mail
  • Commit to attending at least 4 virtual group events per year
Friends playing table tennis
Friends watching a bird demonstration

Why is there a one-year minimum commitment?

It takes time and consistency to build a genuine one-to-one relationship and to be viewed as a committed, caring adult. Often youth from foster care have experienced 3 or more placement changes, as well as a variety of adults suddenly involved in their lives.

  • By committing to at least one full year, Aging UP mentors provide the assurance of having a trusted adult during this time
  • Prior to the end of the one-year commitment, mentors have the opportunity (and encouragement) to continue to participate in the program
  • The longer a mentoring relationship lasts, the more impact it will have for both participants

What supports do mentors receive?

Aging UP provides each mentor:

  • A comprehensive orientation with clearly defined expectations
  • Thorough trauma-informed, strength-based training
  • A Match Coordinator, who provides regular check-ins and remains available as needed
  • Ideas, locations, tips, and discounts on age-appropriate recreational activities
  • Up to the maximum annual reimbursement to cover costs of visits
  • Group activities via meetUPs and UPshops
  • Best of all, we match mentors with a youth who has also undergone our screening and training process

Our goal is for each Match to successfully bond and enjoy their time together. Great attention is given to the matching process, with criteria based on personalities, interests and preferences of both parties.

In the arcade

What’s it like to be an Aging UP Mentor?

Every month can be different.

Monthly requirements include:

  • Connecting regularly with youth
  • Communicating with your Match Coordinator
  • Submitting brief mentoring notes into our secure database
  • Contacting youth’s caregiver to arrange meetings/visits
  • Participating in meetUps, UPshops, or additional training when applicable and available.

While every participant will have a unique experience, you can expect to:

CONNECT

  • Matches are encouraged to share aspirations, passions, and interests, which creates a more meaningful relationship.
  • Youth will identify activities they’d like to do with their mentor. The Match will then plan and look forward to those events. Recreation can include outdoor adventures, physical activities, watching movies, learning a new hobby, and more.
  • Through Group meetUPs, Matches enjoy a supportive peer environment.

GROW

  • Being a mentor enhances empathy and leadership.
  • As you invest personal time, it’s also very likely your youth will teach you things

SUCCEED

  • Research confirms that a stable, caring relationship with an adult provides significant and statistically better outcomes for at-risk youth. You can be that adult!
  • Mentors also serve as role models, help create new worldviews, offer constructive ways to spend free time, and provide a safe and supportive environment to practice healthy relationship skills.
  • Youth and mentor will also attend UPshops (fun, hands-on workshops), to help enhance life skills, develop personally, and explore interests.
A team high-fiving

What about the youth — what are they like?

Youth from foster care are just like any other teen. They have varying ambitions, personalities, interests and many more unique qualities. Like any teen, they are trying to find their place in the world; however, they have experienced trauma and are also dealing with the additional challenges of life in foster care — like frequent moves, separation from siblings and other relationships, new cultural expectations, academic hardships, and more.

Youth are referred to Aging UP but they must want to have a mentor and to be part of our program. Before being matched, each youth participates in an enrollment screening. This gives us insight into their personality, interests and what they’re looking for in a mentor. They also attend a youth orientation, where they learn what to expect. Then Aging UP’s program team considers every youth and mentor participant to create the best matches possible.

Aging UP enrolls and matches 13-to-17-year-old youth. Once a youth is matched and upon agreement with their mentor, they may remain in the program until age 22.

Interested in becoming a mentor?

Fill out the form below, and we will contact you.