The Southwest Voice

Covenant Community Services has an immediate need for volunteers who are willing to mentor former foster youth ages 17-21.  The youth are part of Covenant's transitional housing program for emancipated foster youth.  Mentors will be trained and supported by Covenant staff.  Mentors typically meet with the youth for 1-2 hours per week and during that time they will develop a safe, trusting relationship.  Not only will these youth gain a friend, but they will receive potentially life-changing guidance that will greatly impact their future.  Without a safe, caring adult like a mentor, these emancipated foster youth are more likely to become homeless, unemployed and imprisoned.  According to California Assembly Majority Leader Karen Bass, a study on emancipated foster youth concluded that emancipated foster youth are at a higher risk for leading a life of crime.  She wrote, ““Within two to four years after aging out of foster care, over 50 percent of former foster youth are unemployed, 40 percent are homeless, and 20 percent will be incarcerated. If we do not take care of these children as they exit the Foster Care System, this can result in their future involvement in the prison system.”

Contact Covenant by phone at 661/326-8304 or visit the website at www.covenantcs.net/Jeremiah_Project.htm for more information.