If not you, then who?
Nationwide, almost 30,000 youth “age out” of foster care annually without a connection to a family or a supportive network of caring adults. Without the moral and financial support of parents, relatives, and other supportive adults and a solid plan for their future, these youth face difficult odds as they transition to adulthood. In Pennsylvania, about 1,000 youth age out of foster care each year and risk facing homelessness, involvement in the criminal justice system and reliance on public assistance. (PA Juvenile Law Center www.JLC.org)
-Youth with adult mentors demonstrate improvements in mental health management, academic performance, and employment, as well as decreases in drug and alcohol use and violent behavior.
-Project Hope has been designed based on the standards outlined by The National Mentoring Network (www.mentoring.org) and the mentor training curriculum from MANY (www.manynet.org).
- Project Hope is a service of the Adams County Children & Youth services Independent Living Program which recognizes the benefits mentoring can provide to the youth served.
Vision
It is the vision of Project Hope to provide lifelong connections for youth in out of home placement and involved in the child welfare system as well as those who “age out” of the foster care system. By assisting youth with various independent living and social skills and providing ongoing support, it increases the likelihood these youth will have a successful transition to adulthood; thus, decreasing the likelihood these youth will become a cost to our community.
Mission
It is the mission of Project Hope to provide strength based services to youth aged 13-21, by facilitating connections with adult volunteer mentors who serve as positive role models.
Project Hope strives to match youth currently or formerly in foster care, as well as, others with an identified need in our community, ages 13-21, with a positive, caring adult to coach them in daily living activities, be a listening ear, introduce them to new opportunities, empower them to make responsible decisions, and spend time pursuing activities of shared interest.
According to the Juvenile Law Center, (www.JLC.org) “Nationwide, almost 30,000 youth “age out” of foster care annually without a connection to a family or a supportive network of caring adults. Without the moral and financial support of parents, relatives, and other supportive adults and a solid plan for their future, children face difficult odds as they transition to adulthood. In Pennsylvania, about 1,000 youth age out of foster care each year and risk facing homelessness, exposure to or involvement in the criminal justice system and reliance on public assistance. Youth with adult mentors demonstrate improvements in mental health management, academic performance, and employment, as well as decreases in drug and alcohol use and violent behavior. The community as a whole benefits when more of its members lead stable, healthy lives.
Mentors must be at least 18 years of age. They must complete the screening including; the HR Volunteer Application, an extensive background check, Childline, FBI and Pennsylvania State Police clearances, as well as a home evaluation and a face to face interview with the Mentoring Program Coordinator (MPC).
Mentees are youth who are between the ages of 13-21 years old, and who are involved in the child welfare system. The mentees are referred by their caseworkers and participate in a face to face interview with the Mentoring Program Coordinator and preparatory activities prior to meeting with their mentor individually.
