There are many good mentoring programs aimed at helping society’s less fortunate children, but very few are focused totally on foster care children. The BEST Kids program is the only volunteer mentoring program, we know of that does all of the following:

• In the District of Columbia we are the first pilot program to provide volunteer mentors dedicated to mentoring children in foster care.
• Provides one-on-one volunteer mentors, performing their services from the “heart” for each foster care child in the program.
• Early and long-term intervention. We start with children in the fourth grade and continue with them, as needed, until they turn 18 years old. We encourage relationships well beyond 18 to pave the child’s path to successful independent living.
• Provides the mentors with in-depth training conducted on an on-going basis by highly trained mental health professionals with deep experience on issues these children face daily.
• Provides a regular peer group designed to create a sense of belonging among the children.
• Continually evaluates our progress and provides feedback to our mentors by professionals using well accepted assessment instruments
• We believe this comprehensive integrated approach will yield incredible returns for each dollar invested, see Investment Approach.

For more information on BEST Kids™ Mentoring Program we invite you to visit our Unique Approach, Program Description, Philosophy, and Mentor Support pages.