Foster care can be a challenging journey for young individuals, often marked by instability and change. At Arizonans for Children, we believe that every child deserves a consistent and caring adult in their life. Our Foster Care Mentor Program connects foster youth with dedicated volunteer mentors who act as positive role models, supportive friends, and consistent figures in their lives. These mentors are committed to building strong, trusting relationships, offering emotional support, and encouraging personal growth simply by being present, listening, and sharing life experiences. Through fun outings, heartfelt conversations, or just reliable companionship, our mentors profoundly impact the lives of the children they support.
For foster youth navigating the complexities of the system, a stable and supportive mentor can be truly transformative. We’ve seen remarkable results: 95% of children participating in our Mentor Program demonstrate significant improvements in their academic performance and experience a noticeable boost in self-esteem. The consistent presence of a mentor cultivates trust, fosters acceptance, and instills hope, empowering these children to thrive despite the challenges they face.
This enriching program is available for children and teens aged 5-18 who are currently under DCS care within Maricopa County. We invite you to explore how you can get involved, whether as a potential mentor or as a caregiver or case manager seeking support for a foster youth in your care.
Become a Foster Care Mentor: Shape a Child’s Future
Are you searching for a meaningful way to give back to your community and make a real difference in a child’s life? Becoming a foster care mentor with Arizonans for Children is a deeply rewarding experience that requires no specialized training – just a genuine desire to offer consistency, care, and unwavering support.
Our Foster Care Mentor Program is founded on the principles of connection, genuine care, and flexibility. We understand that shared interests and common ground can be the perfect starting point for developing strong, meaningful relationships. That’s why we carefully match mentors and mentees, considering shared hobbies, career aspirations, or even favorite pastimes. We strive to create thoughtful pairings to increase the likelihood of a natural connection.
However, we also encourage our volunteers to be open to connecting with children from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. While compatible matches are our goal, some of the most impactful mentoring relationships blossom from embracing differences. It’s less about finding a “perfect fit” and more about building mutual trust, fostering understanding, and providing consistent support to a child who needs it.
Our mentors come from all walks of life, and we value the unique strengths and experiences each volunteer brings to the program. As a mentor, you’ll offer invaluable insight and positive guidance as your mentee navigates the various challenges of growing up in foster care. You’ll also have the flexibility to arrange visits that fit your schedule and interests, whether it’s playing sports together, exploring creative arts, or simply sharing lunch and chatting about their week. These shared activities create comfortable spaces for meaningful conversations and opportunities to impart important life skills in a natural, supportive way.
To further enrich the mentor-mentee experience, we also organize community and cultural events and offer donated tickets to exciting venues like the Arizona Science Center, the Phoenix Zoo, and Ballet Arizona. These shared experiences allow you and your mentee to explore new activities together, broaden horizons, and perhaps even rediscover the simple joys of childhood.
We ask mentors to commit to a minimum of one year in the program, although many mentoring pairs choose to continue their relationships far beyond this initial commitment as their bond deepens. This consistent presence is exceptionally meaningful for children in foster care who often experience frequent changes in caregivers, schools, and living situations. Being a mentor who remains a steady, reliable figure through life’s ups and downs can provide the crucial stability these children deeply need.
By becoming a foster care mentor, you’ll be offering a child something truly priceless – consistent, individualized attention from a caring adult who is genuinely invested in their well-being. The impact of your time, care, and positive influence can be profound, helping a child feel seen, valued, and genuinely supported as they navigate their journey. As a mentor, you have the unique opportunity to be the consistent, positive presence that makes a lasting, transformative difference in a young person’s life.
Ready to take the next step? Apply to become a volunteer mentor today!
For Caregivers and Case Managers: Enhance Support with a Foster Care Mentor
Our Foster Care Mentor Program offers a unique and valuable layer of support for foster youth. Unlike programs that primarily focus on behavioral coaching, life skills instruction, or counseling, our mentors approach their role from a different perspective. They are dedicated volunteers who are motivated by a genuine desire to make a positive impact simply by being a consistent and caring presence in a child’s life.
Foster care mentors provide invaluable guidance, consistent support, and genuine friendship. They help foster youth step outside of their daily routines, explore new interests and activities, and, most importantly, always have a trusted adult to listen to them without judgment. For children who have experienced trauma, neglect, or abandonment, having a mentor who offers unconditional care and support, free from any professional obligation, can be truly life-changing.
While the vital roles of behavioral coaches and counselors are undeniable, we firmly believe that every child also needs a friend – a caring adult who is present simply because they want to be. Our mentors serve to complement, rather than replace, the essential work of other professionals on a foster youth’s support team. They add an extra dimension of personalized support and understanding. Coming from diverse backgrounds, our mentors bring unique perspectives that enrich their mentees’ lives in countless ways. Our thoughtful matching process ensures that mentor-mentee pairs are well-suited from the start, fostering strong connections based on shared interests, goals, or personality traits. Whether it’s bonding over a shared love for a particular hobby or aligning with a mentee’s personal aspirations, these relationships are built to thrive from day one.
We also prioritize community and cultural enrichment by providing group events and donated tickets to enriching experiences at locations like the Arizona Science Center, the Phoenix Zoo, and Ballet Arizona. These opportunities allow children to learn, explore, and have fun in a safe and supportive environment, further strengthening the bonds with their mentors and fostering positive peer connections.
We understand the inherent instability that children in foster care often face – frequent changes in homes, schools, caregivers, and even case managers. Amidst these ongoing transitions, a mentor can offer a bedrock of consistency. Our mentors commit to at least one year, and many extend their involvement far beyond, becoming long-term positive figures in the child’s life. There is immeasurable value in having someone who remains constant and reliable, regardless of how often a child’s external circumstances may shift.
With 95% of children in our program demonstrating improved academic performance and increased self-esteem, we strongly encourage you to consider adding an Arizonans for Children mentor to your foster youth’s support network. A mentor can be the consistent, caring presence that unlocks a child’s potential and helps them build a brighter future.
Caregivers and Case Managers: Enroll a child in our Foster Care Mentor Program today.
For More Information:
Please reach out to one of our dedicated program coordinators listed below!
Foster Care Mentor Program Contact Information:
Marina La Rosa | East Valley Coordinator (480) 915-5924 [email protected]
Laura Power | North Valley Coordinator 480-536-2240 [email protected]
Mei Mei Ibach | West Valley Coordinator 602-819-6745 [email protected]
Monique Quinones | Mentor Program Supervisor 480-665-2751 [email protected]
