MENTOR

The Mentor serves as a consistent, positive role model for children and youth in foster care. Through encouragement, guidance, and supportive relationships, mentors help youth build resilience, life skills, and self-confidence as they navigate trauma, separation, and transition toward independence.

This position is non-clinical and focuses solely on relational support and life-skill development. Mentors do not conduct counseling, diagnosis, or therapy. All behavioral or mental-health concerns are referred to the agency’s licensed clinical staff or assigned caseworker.

• Establish a safe, trusting, and positive relationship with assigned youth.
• Offer consistent encouragement, guidance, and positive reinforcement.
• Engage in meaningful, developmentally appropriate activities (community, recreational, educational).
• Support youth in building confidence, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Encourage school engagement, personal responsibility, and goal setting.
• Reinforce values of respect, honesty, and accountability through modeling.
• Maintain regular contact with youth—minimum of 8 visits per month, averaging 20 hours monthly.
• Commit to a one-year mentorship term to promote stability and continuity.
• Attend agency events, recognition ceremonies, and community activities with mentees.
• Submit monthly mentor activity reports and time logs to the Program Coordinator.
• Communicate promptly about any safety concerns, behavioral incidents, or match challenges.
• Provide 30 days’ notice prior to ending a mentorship to ensure a supportive transition.
• Complete initial orientation and required mentor training prior to engagement.
• Participate in quarterly training sessions and ongoing professional-development workshops on trauma-informed mentoring, boundaries, and communication.

• Minimum of 20 hours per month of one-to-one time with mentee.
• Weekly In-Person Communication.
• Attendance at orientation and required training.
• Participation in quarterly mentor training sessions and support groups.
• Attendance at mentor/mentee group events and program recognition activities.

• Minimum age: 18 years.
• Demonstrated emotional stability and maturity, with a genuine interest in supporting youth in foster care.
• Commitment to agency policies, procedures, and trauma-informed practices.
• Completion of application and screening process, including background checks and references.
• Dependability and consistency in meeting time and relationship commitments.
• Regular communication with program staff and willingness to receive constructive feedback.
• Access to reliable transportation, auto insurance, and a safe driving record.
• No history of illicit drug use, inappropriate alcohol use, or untreated mental health/substance use conditions.

• Compassionate and patient listener.
• Encouraging, dependable, and adaptable under stress.
• Respectful of cultural and individual differences.
• Demonstrates integrity, resilience, and commitment to long-term youth development.

• Personal fulfillment through meaningful service and community impact.
• Opportunities for professional development in communication and leadership.
• Recognition at agency events and participation in community activities.
• Support from agency staff, peer mentor groups, and ongoing supervision.

• Applicants must submit a Happy Homez Employment Application, résumé, and three professional references (two non-relatives).
• Qualified candidates will complete a two-step interview process assessing communication, case coordination, and trauma-informed knowledge.
• All finalists must pass required background screenings—including BCI, FBI fingerprinting, and Child Abuse/Neglect Registry checks—before hire.
• Employment offers are conditional upon clearance results, verification of credentials, and completion of pre-service orientation and training.
• All new hires complete a 90-day probationary period.