Why Mentors?

We call our foster parents Mentors because they do so much more than provide a foster home—they help children learn and grow, forever changing their lives.  As positive role models, teachers, family and friends, our Mentors develop meaningful relationships with the youth they support and provide:

• 24-hour supervision and support
• Ongoing family- and community-based activities
• Life skills development
• Transportation
• Medication management

Mentors Make the Difference

The key to any mentoring relationship is the close, one-on-one relationship that develops.  Whether between caregiver and patient, teacher and student, or, in our case, foster parent and a child in need, we believe the mentoring relationship is central to helping all young people reach their potential.  The support, trust and stability found in our Mentor model are essential ingredients in helping young people learn and grow in natural family homes where they belong.

This is the basis of the Mentor model, but what ultimately makes it effective is the caring and dedication of our Mentors.  For that reason, Alabama MENTOR provides a range of professional support services to help our Mentors be the best foster parents they can be.