The program enrolls children in fourth grade who reside in group homes or foster care in the District of Columbia's Abuse and Neglect System. BEST Kids™ Mentoring Program works with the District of Columbia's Child and Family Service Agency (CFSA) to identify the children who have the capacity to participate and are most at need. BEST Kids™ Mentoring Program will provide a well-trained volunteer mentor for each child as long as needed until the child reaches the age of 18 years old.

The mentor’s primary responsibility is establishing a relationship of trust with his child. By devoting at least ten hours a month of contact with their youngsters, mentors have the opportunity to model healthy behavior and nurture the unique talents and individual interests of each child.  In addition to stimulating attachment to a caring, consistent, and competent adult, our targeted goals include instilling the motivation for improved academic performance.

After a one-on-one relationship with a BEST Kids™ Mentor is established, to help develop a sense of belonging, an age-appropriate experiential program is delivered at lease once a month. Each mentor works with his child to set short and long-term goals and reinforce skills introduced in the peer group program.  The program encourages these children to maintain high yet achievable individual standards and master certain skills, with an emphasis on academic improvement. At least twice a year the group performs community service within the  children's communities. A diverse and culturally sensitive group of volunteer mentors works as a team supported by professional staff to implement an experiential life skills learning program.

This program draws from best practices used across the country and creates “ownership” between the mentors and the children. The adults model behavior on how to work together as a diverse team. Our purpose is not to run a prescribed program, but rather one adapted to the group’s needs to maintain interest and to facilitate the children’s ability to socialize successfully and connect with their peers and society.