Chris Crye Mentoring Program
Studies show that children who have at least one consistent, caring adult in their lives benefit from:
- Lower school drop out rate
- Less trouble with law enforcement
- Better prepared to build good relationships with their own families
You can become a powerful, positive force in the life of a child with emotional and behavioral problems. Become a mentor and you can do more than just befriend a child in Youth Villages’ care in Tennessee or Georgia – you might become the first positive role model that child has ever had.
Do I qualify?
To be a mentor, you must:
- Be 21 years of age or older
- Pass a mandatory screening
- Commit to spending 4-to-6 hours per month one-on-one with a mentee
- Attend an initial training session
Visit our FAQs page for more details
Right now, hundreds of mentors are actively helping Youth Villages’ children through our programs but many more are needed.
The Application Process
To become a mentor, or to just learn more about our child mentoring program, please complete our online mentoring application and someone from our mentoring staff will contact you.
Social News
We strongly believe that, if possible, a child is best raised with their parents. Our Intercept program helps parents like Rudolfo Duenes have the skills and preparedness to raise their children successfully.
After the tragic death of his ex-wife, Rudolfo fought to gain custody of his children. He began meeting with his Intercept Specialist regularly. Rudolfo now has full custody of his children where they are happy and proud to be with dad. Read Rudolfo's full story:
Alabama Dad goes the distance to reunite his family | Youth Villages
www.youthvillages.org
Alabama Dad goes the distance to reunite his familyJun 17, 2017 Rudolfo Duenes was in Atlanta when he got the phone call that changed his family’s life. His ex-wife, living in Birmingham, Alabama, had been found unconscious in her home. Drugs were involved. Their children, Gavin, 3, and McKenzie, ...Major thanks to Theresa Vargas and Washington Post for shedding light on the need for #covid19 relief for youth aging out of our foster care system. Special thanks to @FosterClub and @DCCFSA too! #UpChafee #fostersafety
www.washingtonpost.com
Deshala Royster was 16 when she ended up in D.C.’s foster care system.Young people who turn 18 in foster care are resilient and want to become successful adults. Zoe has had many hardships, but when faced with leaving the foster care system without a plan for the future or solid support, he knew he needed help.
“LifeSet has allowed me to network and make connections with other youth, similar to me and from completely different walks of life,” Zoe said. “The program has given me tremendous support and guidance and has kept me motivated to reaching my goals.” Read Zoe's Story:
www.youthvillages.org/through-lifeset-and-yvscholars-zoe-builds-his-future/
Through LifeSet and YVScholars, Zoe builds his future | Youth Villages
www.youthvillages.org
Young people who turn 18 in foster care are resilient and want to become successful adults. Zoe, entered state custody at 14 years old and moved around a lot before “aging out.” “I never really unpacked my clothing because I moved so much. I kept it in whatever bag I could find,” he says.“I'm really just trying to take everything that I’ve been through to make a difference in other people’s lives and make it mean something.”
Reagan is an amazing young person who is using her journey of entering and aging out of foster care to give light and hope to youth in her foster care support group. Learn more about Reagan's story:
www.youthvillages.org/you-are-not-alone-foster-care/
You Are Not Alone: Foster care | Youth Villages
www.youthvillages.org
Reagan tells WBIR News in Knoxville, TN about her journey entering and aging out of foster care. She’s now 19, co-president of a foster care support group, and on her way to study social work at the University of Tennessee.How inspiring! Thank you Reagan!
We love to encourage our youth to express themselves in therapeutic ways like singing! The Wallace girls group home in Nashville was selected by the Nashville Film Festival again this year to partner for the Livin’ Reel project which connects local artists with at-risk youth to create an original piece of art. This year, the Wallace girls and local artists created an original song called “You’re Not Alone” and the song was premiered at the Nashville Film Festival’s virtual event this week.
Teens in Nashville group home write song about their experience
www.wsmv.com
A group of teen-aged girls in foster care wrote a song in helps of changing their lives.Beautiful song ladies. You all sounded amazing
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