Introducing NextStep Mentoring
Partnerships for Children is launching a new program designed to support teens connected with the child welfare system as they move into adulthood: NextStep Mentoring. This program connects young adults with caring professionals who can help them take meaningful steps toward their career goals.
For many teens connected with foster care, preparing to enter the workforce comes with extra challenges. Youth who age out of the foster care system face higher risks of unemployment and housing instability. NextStep Mentoring is created with those realities in mind, aiming to mitigate those risks with meaningful mentor relationships and career support.
Through job readiness programs, life skills classes, and professional shadowing opportunities, teens and young adults can explore career paths of interest to them, building confidence in what comes next.
The first NextStep Mentoring cohort is made up of teens and young adults who participate in Foster Angels' FACT Scholars program. FACT Scholars provides academic support and educational resources for youth connected with foster care. Together, FACT Scholars and NextStep Mentoring are working to make sure each young person has the guidance, tools, and encouragement they need to thrive in school, career, and life.
"We're excited to match youth in foster care with mentors who will help them explore careers, build job readiness skills, and gain real world experiences. We're looking forward to what this community of mentors and young people will build together!" says Lindsay Holley, NextStep Program Manager.
The program kicked off with our first NextStep career fair where teens met professionals working in fields like real estate, nonprofit development, civil service, public safety, and more. Teens asked questions, heard honest stories about career journeys, and talked through the real-life steps to achieve their professional goals.
NextStep mentoring builds relationships tailored to each young person's interests. We're currently looking for mentors from a wide variety of professional backgrounds. Teens participating in the program are exploring careers that range from special education to marketing, counseling to accounting, and much more. Having mentors in many different fields makes all the difference!
If you're a working professional who's willing to help guide a young adult as they enter the workforce, we'd love to hear from you. Your time and expertise are deeply needed. Learn more and apply to be a NextStep Mentor at www.partnershipsforchildren.org/nextstep-mentoring.