Group Mentoring

Group Mentoring 
Our youth being supported through peer mentoring are between the ages of 12 and 17. The mentoring takes place in social settings, better known to our youth as the In My Shoes Clubs. The clubs last for eight weeks and end in a celebration called a club fest where all club members gather for food, fun, and a chance to reflect on their club experience.

Although there is no formal mentor/mentee match in the clubs, mentoring exists through peer-to-peer and youth-to-alumni relationships.

The adults in the clubs have also experienced foster care and are now Strong! Resilient! Amazing! alumni of the foster care system. The adult mentors serve as the facilitators of the group. The club facilitators help to provide a positive atmosphere where natural mentoring relationships can thrive.

The clubs also serve as an outlet for the youth to learn and grow outside of their foster care settings while exposing them to adults whom prove that life exists outside of foster care. It gives our youth hope that they too will be Strong! Resilient! Amazing! adults.

Since our club facilitators are volunteers from the community who are alumni of foster care, they offer a variety of diverse backgrounds including genders, ethnicities, religion, and professions. By interacting with these Strong! Resilient! Amazing! alumni of foster care, our youth can dream of a life beyond the foster care system into a world where they can realize their potential as adults.

Club Member Qualifications 
To be an In My Shoes club member, you must be between the ages of 12-17 and be in legal out-of-home care, such as living in a group home or a foster home placement. You must also be willing to help provide a positive environment for you, your peers, and club facilitators to have fun and be themselves!

Our clubs are free to youth, but we do not provide transportation and all club members must have a signed permission slip from their CPS case worker.

Facilitator Qualifications 
To be an In My Shoes club facilitator, you must be at least 18 years of age and pass an FBI fingerprint background check. You must be willing to commit to the nine eight weeks of your club and be able to assist in the planning of your club activities. Be able to sign youth in and out before and after each club.  You must be able to interact with the youth and keep track of each club member. You must possess a positive attitude and are willing to utilize your own experience from foster care to relate to your club members. Club facilitator are given a per diem of $25 per club night they facilitate, but will not usually be able to participate in the activity.

Club Supporter Qualifications 
You must be at least 18 years of age and be willing to support your club faciltator(s) for one or more clubs. As a club supporter, you must be able to do the activities with the youth you are working with and be able to assist the club facilitator with keeping track of each youth. Your must possess a positive attitude and are willing to utilize your own experience from foster care and life to relate to your club members. Club supporters are not given a per diem, but do not have to pay for their activities.

 

Want to Be a Facilitator? 
Our facilitators are Strong! Resilient! Amazing! adults whom have spent significant time in foster care and are able and willing to commit to the full 9 weeks of the In My Shoes Club cycle! If you would like to join the IMS team, please send a volunteer interest form or contact us and we will help you get started!

Want to Be a Club Supporter?  
Our club supporters are Strong! Resilient! Amazing! adults whom have spent significant time in foster care but cannot commit to the full 9 weeks of the In My Shoes Club cycle! If you would like to join the IMS team, please send a volunteer interest form or contact us and we will help you get started!