Mentor Program

Helping Foster Youth Build Lasting Connections

At Arizonans for Children, our Mentor Program pairs foster youth with caring, consistent adult volunteers who serve as role models, trusted listeners, and supportive friends. Through shared experiences, everyday conversations, and meaningful time together, mentors help youth feel seen, valued, and encouraged.

For children who often experience upheaval and instability, a dependable adult relationship can be life-changing. Our mentors bring encouragement, connection, and hope.

Why Mentorship Matters

A consistent, caring adult can make a powerful difference in the life of a child in foster care.

• Builds trust, connection, and self-confidence
• Supports emotional growth and stability
• Creates opportunities for learning, fun, and encouragement

We have found that 95% of children in our Mentor Program show significant improvement in academic performance and self-esteem.

Who the Program Serves

This program is for children:

• Ages 5 to 18
• Currently in DCS care
• Placed within Maricopa County

Choose Your Path

Is Mentoring Right for You?

Through the Arizonans for Children Mentor Program, volunteers are matched one-on-one with school-aged foster youth to spend time together, build a positive relationship, and show up as a supportive presence.

What Mentors Do

• Explore community spaces like libraries and parks
• Play sports, games, do crafts, and hands-on activities
• Attend community events, festivals, and outings
• Support goals like resume-building or college exploration
• Join community and cultural enrichment opportunities through group events and donated tickets

We thoughtfully match mentors and youth based on shared interests, personality, and goals. At the same time, we encourage volunteers to remain open-minded, as some of the strongest relationships grow through learning from different life experiences.

Time Commitment

• 8 hours per month with your mentee
• A minimum one-year commitment
• Consistent communication and reliability

Many mentor matches continue beyond one year as the relationship deepens. This consistency is especially meaningful for youth who often experience changes in caregivers, schools, and homes.

Mentor Requirements

• Be 21 years or older
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Have reliable personal transportation
• Pass a background check
• Be able to commit to program expectations

Mentoring May Be a Great Fit If You:

• Enjoy spending time with kids or teens
• Can commit to meeting regularly each month
• Are patient, encouraging, and reliable
• Want to make a difference in a young person’s life

Many mentors say the relationship becomes just as rewarding for them as it is for their mentee. The impact of your time and care can be profound, helping a child feel seen, valued, and supported.

For Caregivers & Case Managers

Our Mentor Program offers foster youth something unique. Unlike behavioral coaches, life skills instructors, or counselors, our mentors are volunteers who show up simply because they care and want to make a difference.

Mentors provide guidance, support, and friendship. They help foster youth try new activities, break out of routine, and experience the consistency of having someone who chooses to be there.

While counselors and behavioral coaches play essential roles, we believe every child also needs a caring adult who is there just because they want to be. Our mentors complement the work of the rest of the child’s team by adding connection, encouragement, and stability.

Our matching process is designed to connect youth with mentors who share interests, goals, or personality traits that can help the relationship start strong and grow over time.

Children in care often face changing homes, schools, caregivers, and case managers. Through those changes, a mentor can offer something incredibly valuable: consistency.

With 95% of youth in our program showing improved grades and increased self-esteem, we encourage you to consider adding an Arizonans for Children mentor to a child’s support system.

To Enroll a Child:

• Caregivers and Case Managers: Complete the Youth Application
• Case Managers: Complete the Case Manager Consent Form
• Children must be placed within Maricopa County
• Children must be between 5 and 18 years old

Mentor Program Contact Information