Safe Families PLUS Mentor

Become a Safe Families PLUS Mentor or Mentor Coach

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.

Mentors may walk alongside youth by:

  • Going out for a meal;
  • Exploring the city or nature;
  • Phone calls and emails to check in;
  • Celebrating holidays and birthdays;
  • Teaching life skills such as banking;
  • Educational and career exploration;
  • Providing transportation;
  • Goal setting and encouragement; and
  • Serving as an emergency contact.

Mentor Qualifications:

  • Warm, loving and caring
  • Able to maintain good interpersonal relationships and have a genuine interest in supporting youth
  • Able to clearly communicate and maintain boundaries and follow protocols
  • Able to commit to meeting with their mentee at a minimum of every other week for a minimum of 1 year
  • Must be able to report briefly to their coach or assigned program supervisor monthly
  • Living and attending church within the region of Hamilton or Halton
  • Should you intend to use vehicle for mentorship purposes: Driver’s Licence and Insurance (min. $1,000,000 Liability)
  • Otherwise, reliable access to public transportation required
  • Vulnerable sector Check required

If you are interested in being a Safe Families PLUS Mentor or Mentor coach, or to learn more about this role, please fill out an application or contact hamilton-halton.PLUS@safefamilies.ca.

Within the week that you apply, we will contact you to schedule a time for an interview. Then, we will ask you to complete the onboarding forms and virtual training modules.