One Child at a Time
BEST Kids is a nonprofit mentoring organization that empowers youth in foster care to build better futures, one child at a time.
Our 8th Annual ART of the Matter event will be a little different this year!
This year, as a result of the pandemic we decided to REMIX things a bit, highlighting the performing arts, and taking the show to the virtual space. Our vision is to have a virtual concert, on back-to-back nights, with some of the DC area's most talented musical performers sharing their art and helping us to showcase the heart of what we do: mentor youth in foster care. This is not only a virtual benefit concert but a way for our community to come together, enjoy some great entertainment, food and drinks, all while supporting our great cause.
This year, as a result of the pandemic we decided to REMIX things a bit, highlighting the performing arts, and taking the show to the virtual space. Our vision is to have a virtual concert, on back-to-back nights, with some of the DC area's most talented musical performers sharing their art and helping us to showcase the heart of what we do: mentor youth in foster care. This is not only a virtual benefit concert but a way for our community to come together, enjoy some great entertainment, food and drinks, all while supporting our great cause.
BEST Kids Stands in Solidarity
It is no secret that 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 violence within our country and our own city that directly and adversely impacts our youth, and in many ways is an added layer to the trauma that they continue to experience every day. We refuse to be silent and ignore this issue that our nation has faced for many generations and is still facing today. Instead, BEST Kids will band together to be an active part of the solution. We are 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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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 six and continuing, as needed, until adulthood, BEST Kids works to enable youth to develop a positive sense of self, to acquire teamwork and group social skills, and to become productive members of society.
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DC's Diamond in the Rough
Highlighting Youth Voice Beyond National Foster Care Month
By: Dorian Thomas, BEST Kids Mentee
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All youth need mentors, but foster youth, especially, need mentors. Amidst the COVID-19 crisis and all of the negative impacts it has had on youth in care, BEST Kids, Inc. is finding a way to empower us through life-changing mentoring. I can attest to this myself, being one of the older youth in care that BEST Kids has positively impacted. My name is Dorian Thomas, and I’m 24 years old. I joined BEST Kids in 2015 and am now one of the 150 youth they serve in the DC area ... Read More
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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. Here are a few statistics from our program surveys completed by youth, mentors, and caregivers:
Social & Emotional Wellnesspercent
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Academic Achievementpercent
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Avoidance of Risky Behaviorpercent
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Our Stories
Brett & TBrett 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.
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Lyle & MichaelMichael 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.
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Whitney & DavidWhitney 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.
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