We are thrilled about this growing movement that recognizes the impacts of mentoring. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to highlight the youth we serve and thank the incredible mentors who make our work possible.

Mentoring is more than just a one-time act of kindness. For us, it’s all about relationships and creating meaningful, long-term connections. We are honored to connect youth who have experienced foster care with screened and trained volunteers. Our mentors become trusted role models and friends. These relationships promote growth, resilience and a sense of belonging for young people who deserve it most.

Why Mentoring Matters for Youth from Foster Care
Young people transitioning out of foster care face significant challenges. Statistics* show that within just two years of exiting foster care in California, many experience harsh realities:

• 16% have been incarcerated
• 25% have experienced homelessness
• 40% are unemployed

These statistics paint an unfortunate and sobering picture. However, research** also reveals much hope. Many sciences continue to reveal that a stable and committed relationship with at least one supportive adult is the number one factor in building resiliency and overcoming trauma. Additional research*** recognizes that establishing lifelong connections can have the greatest impact on the overall well-being of youth from foster care. This is how mentoring makes all the difference—through relationships!

Aging UP is a Unique Approach to Mentoring
We serve 13-to-22-year-olds with foster care experience in Sacramento. Youth Today, a national nonprofit and independent news source, has noted that there are “only a handful of groups across the country that focus exclusively on mentoring foster youth.” We are proud to be among this small but impactful group of mentoring programs.

Our research-based services combine one-to-one mentoring, life skills education and positive recreational activities. This unique approach fills a much-needed gap in our community. By providing one-to-one engagement plus peer support, we create a sense of belonging. Mentors extend this by acting as cheerleaders, supporting their mentees as they navigate life’s challenges, and encouraging their successes.

Join Us in Celebrating National Mentoring Month

• Become a mentor: Be someone who impacts a young person’s life
• Support our mission: Donate or spread the word about Aging UP’s work
• Celebrate mentoring: Share stories about how mentors have impacted your life

Let’s make January not just a month of celebration but a movement of empowerment. Together, we can empower youth from foster care to thrive! To learn more or get involved, visit our website.

*Kids Count Data Center - California, FY 2020-2021, **Center on the Developing Child – Harvard University, 2015, ***Improving Family Foster Care - Findings from the Northwest Foster Care Alumni Study (pg. 52)

Once a mentee is part of the Aging UP community, they continue to be. When approached about her wishes, Davani asked to be matched with another mentor. Based on similar interests and personalities, a new mentor was quickly identified. Davani was matched with her second mentor, Cara*, in July 2021.

Within months of being re-matched, Davani was placed more than an hour’s drive outside of Sacramento County. That was no problem for Mentor Cara, who went above and beyond, traveling the extra distance to maintain time with Davani.

Davani continued to have placement changes and lived in 3 different foster homes before returning to an independent living program in Sacramento during her high school senior year. Through all of this—placement changes and uncertainties—Cara remained a constant in Davani’s life. In 2023, Davani graduated high school and enrolled in community college. Davani is now 19 years old and on track to receive two AA degrees in the summer of 2025.

It has not been easy for Davani to work and maintain good grades. Yet, she has remained committed. This past summer, however, Davani experienced stress, which required mental health services. Thankfully, she was not alone. Davani not only had her mentor but also our AmeriCorps Member Maya, who provides hands-on adulting support. Maya drove Davani to mental health services and stayed with her throughout the intake process, modeling self-advocacy. Mentor Cara took the following day off work so she and Davani could spend time together and enjoy a peaceful nature walk.

One of Davani’s recurring stressors was difficulty finding and maintaining a job. She continued meeting with Maya for hands-on support. Maya connected her with Compassion Planet, a partner organization specializing in workforce development. Davani now has steady work hours of paid, on-the-job training!

Back on track, Davani resumed courses but still felt overwhelmed and tired of working so hard without seeing immediate benefits. She was planning to give up after earning her associate degrees. She met with Maya to discuss this. Maya empathetically listened and explored future life scenarios with and without a 4-year degree.

Davani is interested in a career in law enforcement and realized the long-term benefits of gaining a bachelor’s degree. She now plans to transfer to Sacramento State University in the fall of 2025.

We are so proud of Davani and honored to offer her and all our mentees a caring and consistent mentor with resources and support from our program team. We are grateful to our community of supporters who invest in our mission and make this work possible—thank you! If you would like to join them, please visit agingup.org/give-support today!

*Names changed for confidentiality

From the comfort of your home, you can meet our co-founders to gain a clear picture of what being an Aging UP mentor is all about. During an interactive presentation, they will share all about the need for mentoring, the support we provide, and the steps needed to become a mentor. They will also address any questions you have.

So, what are you waiting for?! Sign up today to discover if becoming a mentor is right for you.

Upcoming Orientations (spots are limited and pre-registration is required)

Thursday, June 6| 5:30 – 6:30 pm

For more information, email Program Director Kecia at Kecia@agingup.org or visit agingup.org/become-a-mentor.

Though we recruit adult volunteers with long-term connections in mind, our program is a one-year commitment for both mentors and mentees from their match date. From the beginning, we train on the importance of a healthy closure. Through our process, mentors offer a unique and potential final gift to their mentees: a positive, healthy and meaningful goodbye experience.

Mentee Monica* and her mentor Cheryl recently experienced this. They were matched in November 2020, and though the pandemic made it challenging, the two went from an awkward introduction through Zoom to being special people in one another’s lives.

Cheryl has an energetic personality and used it with her creativity and advice from our program team to make the most of any challenges. Grabbing take-out to dine outside of Monica’s apartment complex was something they often enjoyed together. Of course, more than eating together was happening.

Cheryl continued to show up! She was a committed, friendly person. This created trust. Monica had a habit of dropping commitments with other people, but she never canceled on Cheryl. While they enjoyed many conversations over meals, the Match experienced a lot of meaningful fun together. Cheryl also provided first-time experiences for Monica. She introduced her to spray paint art, go-kart racing, horseback riding and other new activities.

There are many reasons why a mentoring match may formally end. Even though Monica and Cheryl grew a true friendship, other circumstances revealed that this Match would close at the end of their year. Working with our program staff, Cheryl prepared Monica in advance for their final visit.

After an afternoon of arcade games and pizza (one of their first activities together), the goodbyes took place. There were hugs, laughs and tears. Both expressed a desire to stay in touch, even though they won’t have the opportunity to see each other as they have.

We are grateful for Cheryl’s investment as a mentor and thrilled to have her as part of our community. As alumni, Monica will still have access to resources and support from our program.

Becoming a mentor was a huge leap of faith that gave Cheryl a newfound belief in herself. It also gave Monica a role model and a year of adventure. We are proud of them and wish them all the best.

*Mentee’s name changed for confidentiality

Despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, our incredible community of supporters came through in 2020. We are so grateful to grantors Golden 1 Credit Union, Capitol Network and Ticket to Dream Foundation. Their generosity, along with committed supporters and special donations through online fundraisers, enabled us to stay on track with plans to add another mentoring cohort this year!

It’s a pleasure to share that our Mentor Training Cohort 4 has begun! Out of 29 applicants, we welcomed 18 incredible adults. These individuals exude kindness and commitment and meet other criteria necessary to become an Aging UP Mentor.

Cohort 4 is very special. They are the first group to train entirely remotely. Typically, we hold 4 sessions, totaling 20 hours of in-person training. This has been revised to 6 sessions, totaling 14 hours of live virtual training, combined with independent work of completing activities and watching videos. To build community, mentors-in-training can network before and after each session. We also hold weekly Zoom drop-in hours for casual mingling and to discuss topics further.

Not only is this our largest training class, but it is also our most diverse group so far! Ages range from early-20s to mid-70s, and more than 7 ethnicities are represented. While the group is comprised primarily of women, we’re excited to have three strong male role models and will work to improve gender diversity.

Training is still part of our thorough screening process. It is also an opportunity for prospective mentors to ensure that we’re the right program for them. We believe each one has the potential to be a stable, supportive friend who can help a youth from foster care thrive.

We are so excited to continue learning with this group and preparing them to be the best mentors possible. Cohort 4, welcome to our community!

Star* is one of the young adults in our program. She recently moved into her first apartment. It was a move that needed to happen quickly and she did not have most of what she needed. Thankfully, her Mentor Kristin worked with our Program Director Kecia to ensure the milestone was met with excitement.

Kecia reached out to our partners Defending the Cause Regional Alliance as well as her personal network to acquire items like a desk, coffee table, TV, lamps, décor and more. Almost simultaneously, Ticket to Dream Foundation’s Take Flight Program in partnership with Turbo Shine Car Wash provided additional grant support that helped us create an Emergency Fund specifically for our older teens and young adults. We immediately put this funding into action and purchased basic cleaning supplies and a gift card for Star.

Star met her mentor at a nearby Walmart and, gift card in hand, they enjoyed a two-hour shopping trip. The time was well-spent as Kristin used the opportunity to teach shopping skills. The Match discussed real value versus perceived value as they shopped for staple kitchen items and small appliances.

Star was genuinely appreciative and even though it was all her choice, she was shy to select items. As a fan of smoothies, Star’s eyes lit up at the sight of a Nutribullet, and with a little encouragement, she happily put it in the cart.

With more support than she ever expected, Star turned her new apartment into a home. Following her mentor’s example, she wrote a thank you note that stated, “…You made everything so much easier for me and I appreciate it. I will be having so much fun decorating.”

*Name and photos used with permission.

We know the challenges of social distancing are not unique to us, so we’re sharing 7 tips to help you better connect with the tweens and teens in your life. While smartphones and other digital technologies offer easier ways to connect, not all of these ideas require a device.   

1. Go to the movies – virtually

Mail microwave popcorn and some goodies with an invitation to watch a movie. You can use Netflix Party to watch and chat live through your computer. Or, simply plan to watch the same movie or binge the same show and chat about it after.

2. Have a no-sew t-shirt design challenge

You may want to ask their parent first, but old t-shirts can easily be upcycled into new styles. Now is a great time to look through drawers and closets. To help decide what stays and what goes, you can download the Ultimate Closet Detox Guide by our friend Carly of Tidy Revival and Simplified Wardrobe. But, before you get rid of t-shirts, consider easy alterations that will make you like wearing them again. Invite your young person to also alter t-shirts. There are plenty of tutorials online. We like this video of various crop top and summer-style designs or this video to create a muscle tank. Once your shirts are created, you can text photos or hold a video fashion show to share your designs.

3. Go on a scavenger hunt

With few places to go, a walk around the neighborhood can be a refreshing change of scene. Of course, seeing the same things can get boring. Why not send a list of things to find (metal mailbox, gnome, lemon tree, etc.) or use Shutterfly’s Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt? You and your young person can snap photos of the items to send to one another or just have fun searching for them.

4. Create art with natural elements

Depending on available supplies, like glue, paint, markers, etc., you can help exercise creativity and self-expression by inspiring your young person to make art with elements found outdoors. From painting rocks to drying out flowers and arranging them on paper, canvas or in a frame, there are many possibilities. You might also create an inspirational piece to mail or deliver as a gift. Just remember, these elements should be gathered from parks and public areas (not your neighbor’s yard – unless permission is given).

5. Hold a virtual game night

With free video chat services like Zoom or Google Hangouts, you can play games together, even though you may be miles apart. This article from Elite Daily offers tips on which games to play and how to make it work well.

6. Drop off a care package

You may not be able to hang out, but you can leave a package of fun on their doorstep. Items like puzzles, art supplies, books, movies, treats, funny comics, etc., will be a welcomed surprise.

7. Practice and encourage self-care

The stress and emotional toll of sheltering in place can be draining for people of all ages. You can brighten your young person’s mood with texts or calls of funny jokes, memories or questions like “what is one thing you’re excited about today?” it’s important to make mental well-being a focus by setting aside personal time, prioritizing healthy choices, practicing self-compassion, and enjoying activities. Calm offers free meditations, calming music and other resources to support emotional wellness.

Social distancing doesn’t mean disconnecting. We hope these tips help you connect with the special young people in your life. 

Currently, our mentors range in age from mid-twenties to mid-sixties. They have different ethnic and cultural backgrounds and display a wide variety of interests. However, they all share several common traits. They are dependable, patient and open-minded, with youthful, adventurous spirits. They are also good listeners who display consistency and have genuine interests in supporting teenagers. Of course, each mentor also meets our minimum requirements and has successfully completed our trauma-informed, strength-based training.

According to Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child, “No matter the source of hardship, the single most common factor for children who end up doing well is having the support of at least one stable and committed relationship with a parent, caregiver, or other adult.”

Mentors are more than a friend or a role model; they help to build resiliency in their youth. Since teens in foster care often have fractured or severed relationships with parents and caregivers, our mentors fill the necessary role of being a caring, committed supportive adult.

Do you have what it takes to be part of our mentoring team? Contact Program Director Kecia at kecia@agingup.org.

Each Mentoring Match enjoys time together differently. Our youth are encouraged to drive the types of activities they do with their mentor. Before we match a youth with a mentor, we take many things into consideration. The main criteria include the youth’s interests, personality and any requests they may have.

Once we pair a Mentoring Match together, we continue to monitor and support them. As their friendship grows, it’s amazing to see and hear about all the fun they have together. Check out some of these mentoring moments:

“

We went hiking, even though it was hot and uphill, we survived with a few needed breaks. We dipped our toes in the ice-cold river then got some Mexican food before heading home.

We played 15 hands of Uno at a coffee shop. It was a BLAST! She had to teach me since it’s been over 20 years since I played last (LOL!) 

We went to an event at Sac State. After enjoying music and getting a bunch of cool SWAG, we just walked around campus. It was really cool to share a bit of my college experience and it provided a space for her to share her dreams and goals too! This was probably one of my favorite experiences with her!

We went to a tennis court and it was great to just whack the ball and have fun with it.

We saw his first concert together so it was really cool! It may have inspired him to start drumming again.

“

We know, and research confirms that youth who connect with a mentor have significant and statistically better outcomes. If you’re interested in being a positive adult role model and a consistent, supportive friend to a youth with experience in foster care, register for a one-hour, no-obligation orientation by contacting Program Director Kecia at kecia@agingup.org.

Fall 2019 Orientations from 6 to 7 pm:

Thursday, September 5 |Natomas

Thursday, September 26 |Elk Grove

Wednesday, October 2 |South Sacramento

Thursday, October 3 |Arden Arcade

Exact location will be shared in registration confirmation email.

This was also our second group event with Mentoring Matches from both of our first two cohorts. Knowing that we had new Matches that are still in early relational development stages along with Matches that have been together for almost a year, brought additional rays of joy.

It’s not always easy to get teenagers to wake up early on a weekend, but even with our 10 a.m. start, there was great energy. Our group had private use of the entire facility. We began with an introduction and learned that two teens had never played laser tag and that several mentors had not played in 10 or more years. After pastries, fruit and juice, the friendly staff introduced us to the laser vests, guns and rules of play. We then entered the laser arena to enjoy a thrilling game of running, squatting, hiding and firing lasers at one another. 

The activity level was certainly high. After our first game, everyone was rather warm, so we cooled down with more snacks and some arcade games. Most of the Matches wanted to play laser tag again. During this game, our group decided on team play. The teams were assigned based on the vest that was grabbed. For the majority of the game, the blue team overtook the second floor; however, they still lost to the red team by points. It ended with laughs, high-fives and some friendly pointing as the group eyed the scoreboard.

The morning continued with mingling over arcade games and air hockey. One of our mentors also generously covered the costs of bumper cars for those who wanted to experience that activity. It was great to see so much interaction. Youth related with their mentors and one another. A few of the teens had previously lived in the same placement and they were able to reconnect during this event.

Group meetUPs are one of our core program services because of the many benefits they provide. They are designed to offer new and fun recreation that allows youth from foster care to enjoy typical teen activities within a stigma-free environment. They also encourage physical movement or creativity, which serves as a relief from everyday adolescent troubles and the additional stressors often associated with living in foster care. Finally, group events enhance mentoring friendships as youth and mentor engage through shared experiences.

The smiles, as well as post-event evaluations, let us know this event was a bright light to all who attended.