Research has shown that the number one indicator of success for youth in foster care is a positive relationship with a caring adult. Mentoring programs for older youth in foster care and foster care alumni build connections that can support the transition into adulthood. This video demonstrates the importance of mentoring not only for vulnerable youth, but for the mentors themselves. This short five-minute video can be used to build community awareness about the importance of the mentoring relationship and promote mentor/resource family recruitment efforts.
This longer ten-minute video can be used as part of training for child welfare students and/or staff to promote the development of mentoring initiatives for foster youth. These videos were developed through the Connections to Success project being led by the Child Protection Working Group as part of the US-Russia Social Expertise Exchange (SEE).