It’s almost impossible to believe, but this time last year, our program was in its beginning phase. January 2018 kicked off with our first mentor training group. Ten well-screened volunteers completed four sessions of trauma-informed, strength-based training. In March, we matched them one-to-one with youth from foster care!
Since the spring, the Mentoring Matches have been enjoying time together. Like all relationships, each Match has grown at its own unique pace. The incredible thing is that whether the youth remained at their original placement or moved during the year, they continued visits with their mentors – a friend – who has been there for them.
The year zoomed by with fun recreational Group meetUPs, educational UPshops, a second mentor training group with 11 mentors, fundraisers and special events. So many great moments happened for the teens, the mentors and our organization throughout this year!
This video highlights some of the major milestones but we’re also grateful for the little moments, in-between steps and people who made them possible.
The generous support of our donors, volunteers, and friends has allowed these milestones to take place. More importantly, it has empowered youth with experience in foster care toward happy, healthy, self-sufficient futures!
In 2019, we look forward to continuing to support our existing Mentoring Matches while providing life skills workshops and fun group events more frequently. We will also work to serve more youth from foster care and to expand services for those 18 years and older.
Your support will help make this all possible! Be an integral part of making even greater impacts in 2019 by becoming a monthly UPlifter donor. Please visit agingup.org/donate to make a meaningful gift or to set up monthly donations today.
Happy New Year!
