Independence for Foster Youth in Washington State

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Get a Mentor

Graduating from high school or attending college is within your reach! Mentors can help you set and make a plan to meet your goals while at the same time developing a supportive relationship.

Mentors are not necessarily experts in education; they are there to encourage you toward meeting your goal – like reminding you of upcoming workshops available in the community, asking you about a test that you were studying for, taking you for a tour of the local college campus, or having a conversation about your future plans over a milkshake.

We hope that with a mentor’s help you can begin to make your way toward completing your educational goals, successfully transitioning out of foster care, successfully transitioning into college, improving your future, and achieving your dreams.

Try a Natural Mentor. A Natural Mentor is someone you know or have knowledge of that you believe would be a good mentor for you.

Here are some Natural Mentors to consider:

  • Your caregiver.
  • An adult with whom you already have a connection, such as a teacher, tutor, coach, or youth leader.
  • An education advocate within the child welfare system.
  • Your caseworker or Independent Living Coordinator.
  • A mentor from a community or school mentoring program.
  • Your court-appointed special advocate (CASA), if you have one.
  • If you have a disability, your IEP coordinator or special education teacher.
  • High school counselors.
  • College campus counseling programs and financial aid counselors.

You pick or if you’re not sure try one of the mentoring resources below in your area:

Mentoring Resources

Washington State Mentors – Find a mentoring opportunity or locate a Washington State Mentor near you. Go to the website and scroll down to Connect to Mentoring Opportunities. Then just enter your Zip Code.

CASAnet – Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) state offices will be able to tell you if their CASAs offer education advocacy. To find CASA programs in your area, under Program Services, click Find CASA Programs.

Do-It, a program for youth with disabilities, offers online career and college mentoring. For an application, call (888) 972-DOIT (3648) or e-mail doit@u.washington.edu.

College Success Foundation, HERO – The HERO Initiative (Higher Education Readiness Opportunity) is designed to increase college readiness for males, specifically males of color, and other underrepresented youth. The HERO program operates in schools in both Washington State and Washington, D.C.
HERO advisors work with 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th grade students who have the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard but are falling short of their potential. HERO provides support directly to students, their families, and academic communities to ensure that they have the resources necessary to help them build their academic and leadership abilities.

Have a question about mentoring? Contact Tom Pennella @ 360.902.7797.

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Preparing for College

  • Why Go to College?
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  Questions or comments about this page? Can't find the information you need? Email Kathy Ramsay.