Mentoring Works
The bottom line is that mentoring works. BEST Kids Mentoring Program is guided by the belief that all children are talented. Through one-on-one volunteer mentoring, extensive training, staff support, and experiential learning-based Peer Groups, we encourage our youth to discover and develop their unique skills and abilities. Beginning with children as young as age six, BEST Kids works to enable youth to develop a positive sense of self, acquire teamwork and group social skills, and to become productive members of society.

The Latest

BEST Kids
​Information Sessions

​Upcoming Sessions: 
July 19
Aug 16
Sept 20
Oct 18
Nov 15
Our Information Sessions give people like you the chance to get a better sense of what it takes to become a successful mentor as well as more information about the commitment mentors make and the process of becoming a mentor. Our staff who works with our youth and mentors on a day-to-day basis will be available to answer your questions and get you started on the process. 

Evolution in Action

Evolution in Action is the BEST Kids blueprint for achieving our new mission and vision based on abiding by our organizational values and our three strategic priorities of Engagement, Equity, and Excellence.
Giving Tuesday
BEST Kids is gearing up for our annual Giving Tuesday campaign on Tuesday, November 29!

Our goal is to raise $7500 in donations to provide 83 youth in foster care with the opportunity to build healthy and successful futures. This year's theme is "Every Gift Counts Because Every Youth Matters!" 

Mystics Mentor

BEST Kids is a proud partner of the Mystics Mentor program! In association with MENTOR MD|DC, Mystics Mentor seeks to close the mentoring gap in the DC area. Help us meet our goal of recruiting 40 Mystics fans to become volunteer mentors by joining us Friday, May 13th at 7pm for the Mystics Mentoring Tip Off and Saturday, July 17th at 3pm for BEST Kids night!

BEST Kids Stands in Solidarity​
Over 95% of the youth we serve are members of the Black community. We recognize the systemic racism and inequality, as well as the continued police and community violence within our country and our own city that directly and adversely impact our youth, and in many ways is an added layer of trauma that they continue to experience every day.

We refuse to ignore this issue that plagues our nation. Instead, BEST Kids will band together to be an active part of the solution, and side with those striving to do the same. We are continuously taking the opportunity to re-examine ourselves and our programming and are dedicated to finding ways we can do and be better. We've created a page on our site to track our efforts in this work on an ongoing basis with more transparency.
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Our Impact

Every aspect of our programming is designed to reach positive outcomes for the children and youth we serve including academic achievement, social and emotional well-being, the avoidance of risky behaviors, and the development of independent living skills. 

Social & Emotional Wellness

Academic Achievement

Avoidance of Risky Behavior

Our Stories

Brett & T

Brett and T were able to build a strong bond by discovering mutual interests with one another. They used these common interests as an outlet for fun and as the foundation of a strong, long-lasting relationship that has seen T through many transitions and difficulties.

Lyle & Michael

Michael is the very first mentee to be matched at BEST Kids. Although he has seen many ups and downs over the years, he's always had his mentor Lyle at his side. After spending his entire life in foster care, Michael has now aged-out; however, he still can depend on Lyle to navigate early adulthood and self-sufficiency. 

Whitney & David

Whitney was a former foster youth herself who made a point to give back to her community through mentoring. She's been matched as David's mentor since 2014. Together, they've experienced tons of fun and a tremendous amount of growth.