Through one-to-one mentoring, positive recreation and life skills education, we empower 13-to-21-year-old youth from foster care to connect, grow and succeed!
There are more than 1,600 children in Sacramento’s foster care system. Though removal from their biological home may have been necessary, youth often suffer mental and physical effects from that trauma and subsequent adversities.
Without proper support, these young people can face futures ranging from low education attainment to long-term physical, emotional and mental health challenges. Statistics state that 50 percent will be homeless, unemployed, or incarcerated within two years of exiting foster care.
Yet there is hope! Our research-based services provide relational connections and other resources that equip youth from foster care to transition into happy, healthy, self-sufficient adults.
“Science shows that children who do well despite serious hardship have had at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive adult. These relationships buffer children from developmental disruption and help them develop resilience…(Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child, 2015).”
Because of such research, mentoring is the heart of Aging UP. Mentors commit to be that one – a stable, supportive adult – to a teen from foster care. They are positive role models who offer visibility, support and resources. Mentors expose youth to new worldviews, interpersonal skills and constructive ways to spend free time. Most importantly, they offer support and friendship during turbulent adolescent years.
Because we believe everyone grows through new experiences, positive recreation is one of our pillar services. During one-to-one time with their mentor, youth enjoy activities and explore their interests. We also hold Group meetUPs, where all of our Mentoring Matches (teen with mentor) come together for fun activities in a stigma-free environment.
While fun is an important part of adolescence, we also equip teens toward self-sufficiency. Our UPshops are fun, hands-on workshops where youth learn practical life skills side-by-side with their mentor and their peers.
All of these supports are intentionally designed to give youth from foster care a community where they connect through relationship, grow through new experiences and are empowered to succeed.
