WHAT IS SAFE FAMILIES PLUS?
Safe Families PLUS equips and empowers volunteer mentors who are compassionate members of the Hamilton Halton community and matches them with youth who need a consistent extended-family-like support system. We serve and support Young people between the ages of 14 and 24 who are ageing out or have aged out of the child welfare system.
WHY MENTORSHIP?
Canada-wide, over 6,000 Canadian children age out of foster care every year. Among a 2022 study of a group of young people who “aged out” in Canada:
89% of youth experienced homelessness
80% became involved in crime
66% experienced substance abuse
91% self-reported mental health issues
Loneliness and a lack of support and community is cited as a large contributor to these statistics. Youth with mentors through Safe Families PLUS express feeling that they no longer have to transition to adulthood alone.
HOW DOES MENTORING WORK?
Mentors come alongside youth to provide them with one-on-one lasting support much like a friend or family member would. Mentor coaches are available by phone or text to provide support and resources to the mentors as needed. Mentoring and being mentored are both completely voluntary experiences.
See the link for more information or reach out to Rachel at hamilton-halton.plus@safefamilies.ca to start talking about mentorship!
To apply for this job please visit app.betterimpact.com.