40% of the nation's homeless were in foster care as a child.

58 % of the youth utilizing federally funded youth shelters are former foster care youth.

•  27% of the males; 10% of the females had been incarcerated

•  33% were receiving public assistance

•  37% had not finished high school

•  50% were unemployed

Baltimore Study: 77% of foster teens required a mental health referral

A 1998 study found that within 12-18 months of leaving foster care:

•  55% had completed high school

•  50% were employed

•  18% had been incarcerated

•  32% were receiving public assistance

According to Westat Inc., a national study of independent living programs for emancipated foster youth, the average child is rarely completely independent before the age of 25.

Become a Mentor

What is mentoring?

Who in your life saw your potential? Who recognized your strengths? Who showed you another way to do things or think about a problem? Who encouraged you to explore your own options? Who challenged you because they believed in who you could become? For many of us, that was our family. For some it may have been the neighbor or a teacher. These people are our mentors.

Mentors are people who choose to be our friends, coaches, cheerleaders, confidants, advisors, and tutors. They choose to spend time with us, with no strings attached, because they care.

Who would I be mentoring?

TRAC’s youth are in transition. They are preparing to leave substitute care, including foster homes and juvenile services. Many come from a background of abuse or neglect and may be experiencing emotional or mental health problems. When they turn 18, they are adults in name only and are often not prepared or ready for living independently. Many lack confidence in themselves and fear being alone. They may lack the basic skills needed to find a job, keep an apartment, handle money, or make decisions that will advance their independence. In most cases, these youth lack family or community support, outside of the system, and find themselves totally on their own. Without a family to support them, these teens desperately need positive role models to develop healthy, trusting relationships. Without community connections and with limited finances, youth often need reminders of how to have a good time; mentoring allows time for safe, fun, and affordable recreation.

What is a mentor’s commitment?

By virtue of being an adult, you have something to offer these youth. Are you willing to offer the benefit of your life experience to help our teens reach their potential? TRAC asks for a commitment of approximately 10 hours per month, with two face to face visits. Offering your support through phone calls and activities for just a few hours a month can support our young adults in making responsible decisions, finding employment, seeking higher education, or simply getting through the day-to-day trials of being on your own. Mentor’s are required to attend 8 hours of training before being matched and on-going training is provided as needed. Volunteers must be over 21 and make a year commitment. A background check is required.

If you are willing to consider being a TRAC mentor, email or call Maury Meekins  at 214.370.9300 x27.

You can also check our calendar to see when orientations are scheduled.

Please check out our activities page to find helpful links to events in the area.