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We are considering mentoring an older teen first before plunging into adoption. Was wondering if anyone else has done/is doing this??
I don't know if other states have this program, so if not, it's where you take an older teen who does OK in school and has a part time job in, and teach them how to make the transition to living on their own.
I'd really like to hear from anyone who has done this.
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I have not done mentoring as you are stating it, but I have worked with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and hosted an excahnge student. I think either option is good, though BB/BS is likely closer to what you are interested in doing. check your local BB/BS and state you want an older teen. They are always looking for Bigs for boys, so that may get you a faster match. best wishes to you,Deb
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I have the perfect thing for you. Foster Care Alumni of America. A friend of mine runs the Texas office and the job of this organization to help prepare foster kids to transition into adult living. When we are done fostering, I want to work with this org.
[url=http://www.fostercarealumni.org/]FCAA Home[/url]
I agree, PERFECT!
[url=http://www.fostercarealumni.org/get_involved/Join.htm]Foster Care Alumni-Join FCAA[/url]
I've mentored many teens over the decades, none from this program yet tho - I just heard about it a few months ago.
This summer after two young men finished and got thier associate degrees :clap: I (and others) set them up in their own small business, as we promised. It's working out great for them, I am too proud. Since then they have signed up to be Big Brothers and have hired two teens to help mentor.
Helping young people is challenging, but can be so rewarding for everyone. There are so many teens that need this help, if the foster care program or BB/BS isn't for you, visit the high school, tutor, I believe it is impossible (in most areas) not to find a teen there that needs your help in other ways too.
My Thanksgiving table will be surrounded by many young people that we have helped get started on their way (including our own kids LOL) and all those that chipped in to help them as well.
And now some of them are bringing their wives and children to dinner.
I don't see how I could be much happier about them or myself or all the others that have helped. :grouphug:
I decided to join Big Brothers Big Sisters for the same reason. Sure enough, my Little (who was 12 at the time---now is 14) was a former foster child. She was reunified with her mom. I learned a lot from her about not only teens but about foster care. It was definitely an eye opener. I always learn something new from her and I definitely want to foster a teen like her one day. (She's got a LOT of issues though.) My husband acutally had her as a student last year.
The odd thing was a few months ago I got a call from my agency. I recongized the information and stopped the caseworker mid way through the referal. It was for my Little's niece. My Little always kept me updated on her older sister who has lost two children to adoption and was having her youngest daughter in and out of foster care. I remember Little Muffin when she was born. I would seen her periodically when I would pick up my Little. I think it was a God thing. Neither the county worker nor the caseworker knew that I knew this family. The county worker even said that I knew about this family than she did! This is actually considered a kinship placement.