The juvenile court mentoring program badly needs mentors to work with court-involved youngsters.  The children are at risk youth who need the consistency and direction a mentor can provide.  The program is looking for a one-year committment and their is training and support for mentors.  There is always a waiting list for adult mentors.  The county currently has only 20 youngsters paired with a mentor.  

We can do better than that.  

Contact Mentoring Coordinator Ottoniel Perez at 301-587-5700 ext. 2574, or email ottoniel.perez@ymcadc.org.

Some of you are a ware I was a foster parent for several years, and am fostering a child this year. I have been fortunate to have worked with two children who had adult mentors during their time in foster care, and found those children had excellent relationships with their mentors, and noted their mentors served as an important support person, sounding board, friend and confident for the kids.  If you'd like to talk about foster parenting or mentoring, please call me.  My partner and I would be happy to discuss our experiences.  There is currently a foster child display up at the community center where you can get information on fostering a child.

Colleen