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- The HOPE program provides mentoring support to youth ages 13 to 17 living in foster care, supporting them to achieve their potential to become successful, independent, and financially stable young adults through ongoing opportunities to build the skills, confidence and relationships they need to become engaged members of their community.
- For a few hours each week, mentors and youth focus their time exploring their community together in fun and productive ways. BBBS provides opportunities to participate in educational offerings and trainings on topics related to financial management, independent living skills, health, relationships, career or college to give the youth the skills and support needed to successfully transition into adult life.
- BBBS provides lots of ideas for things to do and free access for mentor pairs to places like the YMCA, the Downtown Athletic Club, 2 for 1 at Chipotle, as well as tickets to various local events. BBBS hosts two group activities per month for the community based program (typically 3rd Saturday afternoon) for all pairs. These activities include things like snow shoeing, bowling, sailing, kayaking, sharing meals together and volunteering.
- The HOPE program commitment is two years and consistent interaction between mentor and youth (approximately 10-15 hours per month) is encouraged.
- Community-based mentors program are at least 20 years of age at match date. 19 year olds are welcome to begin the application process with the understanding they will not be matched until they are 20. Because of the unique population the HOPE program serves, maturity and a strong sense of commitment is crucial for mentors applying.
- Due to the unique population of HOPE youth and teens, BBBS holds a supplemental training for HOPE in addition to the general BBBS Mentor training. HOPE operates as a cohort group model- facilitating close relationships between the youth- although the matches are still 1:1.
Learn more by contacting Aoife Magee at aoife@bbbslane.org or by calling (541) 344-0833 x104