We seek passionate, dedicated volunteers to serve as mentors to youth affiliated with the child welfare system.
Partnerships for Children has two mentoring programs:
- YES Mentoring - mentoring teens whose lives have touched the child welfare system by engaging them in fun activities, being a support system, and teaching them basic life skills.
- KING Mentoring - mentoring youth 5+ whose lives have touched the child welfare system by teaching them an instrument and connecting through music.
Why Mentor?
The pipelines to incarceration, teen pregnancy, and homelessness are very high amongst youth involved in the child welfare system:- 30% of males formerly in CPS care will be incarcerated by age 19
- 1 out of 4 will become incarcerated within the first two years of leaving care
- 70% of female foster youth will give birth at least once before age 21
- 50% of the US homeless population was in foster care at one point
- 1 out of 5 youth who age out of the foster care system will end up homeless
Many youth involved in the child welfare system don't finish high school or pursue secondary education:
- youth formerly involved with CPS are twice as likely to drop out of high school
- only 30% of youth involved with CPS will graduate college. The national average is 68%
Although the KING and YES Mentoring programs are not designed directly to combat these issues, one of the most crucial factors to becoming a successful and autonomous adult is to have at least one supportive adult helping you.
Mentor Expectations
- 1
Fill out Paperwork
- 2
Complete Training
- 3
Make a Commitment
- 4
Keep in Contact
- 5
Report Back
- 6
Attend Events
Mentor Onboarding Process
- You must be over 21 years old.
- You must clear a background check with Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).
- Once clear, you will complete an interview and an informational training to make sure you are a good fit for the program and to understand the program requirements.
- After you have completed the training and interview, you will meet with a member of the YES or KING Mentoring team to ask any further questions and we'll work on finding you a youth to match with.
- Once matched, you are expected to meet/check-in with the youth on a weekly basis.
- All mentors must read and agree to the Mentor Guidelines & Program Policies.
Please Note:
We are an Austin, TX based mentoring program. We serve only the following areas: Waco, Killeen, Georgetown, Leander, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Pfluggerville, Austin, Bastrop, Elgin, Buda, Kyle, and San Marcos.