 |
|
 |
In 1992, after Children's Trust Fund recipients asked what they could do to give back to Orangewood Children's Foundation, the Peer Mentor Program was established. Peer mentors are former foster youth who have successfully transitioned from foster care to independence and serve as positive role models to youth currently in foster care.
Peer Mentors:
- Attend peer counseling sessions at the
Orangewood Children’s Home and ILP workshops at multiple locations throughout Orange County on weeknights and Saturday mornings
- Attend four trainings per year, including two weekend retreats for team building and counseling skills development
- Assist with program special events and Foundation fundraising events
- Receive a stipend for each session and workshop attended
During mentoring sessions at the Home, teens meet in small groups. The Peer Mentors conduct group discussions on a variety of topics, allowing the teens to express their feelings and interact with these positive role models and peers. Feedback after the sessions shows that the teens often report feeling less anxious and more confident that they can have positive futures after leaving Orangewood.
Peer mentors also offer bilingual support for youth in Spanish, Vietnamese, Khmer (Cambodian) and sign language.
» Click Here for a Peer Mentor application (885k PDF), or for more information call toll free (866) OCF4Kids (866-623-4543) ext. 213.
|
|
 |
 |