Passages Mentoring Program
Mentoring
is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction
John H. Crosby
Passages’ Mentoring
Program serves the needs of youth affected by the Illinois Department of
Children and Family Services’ Foster Care System. Over 350,000 children nationwide
are in foster care. Of those numbers, 5% reside right here in Illinois.
Children who were living with their parent(s) prior to removal may suffer
academically and exhibit emotional trauma.
Program
Services/Description
Passages Mentoring Program is an effort to engage and focus
the entire community on serving this target group and providing services to
their families through partnerships and collaborations that facilitate the
recruitment of mentors and eligible children and garner financial and
programmatic support based on the concept that “it takes a village to raise a
child”.
Program
Goals/Objectives
The goal of Passages
Mentoring Program is to pair DCFS foster care children, ages 6-18, in
one-on-one relationships with carefully screened positive adult role models who
are interested in enriching their lives and assisting them to develop their
full potential. Mentors receive orientation, training, ongoing match support
and one agency sponsored activity per month to cultural, sports and other
events for their mentee. Children are involved in a nurturing relationship with
the benefits of increased confidence and self-esteem, better grades in school,
and exposure to cultural and fun experiences.
Mentoring comes with many benefits,
such as:
· Improved self confidence |
· Less likely to engage in at risk behavior |
· Increased motivation |
· Increased involvement in the community |
· Increased self-advocacy |
· Fun activities for the child |
· Improved academic performance |
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· Fewer feelings of isolation |
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For more information, contact our
office @ 312-225-3800 ext. 19 or 24.
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