Christine_Devine's Blog

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Thank you to all our viewers who've called over the years wanting join the effort in helping our children in foster care... but not in a place to adopt.

There's a fantastic organization that allows you to mentor a child in foster care... its called Children Uniting Nations.

Anyone have a great story of someone who mentored you?

I pulled CUN's pitch from their website (http://www.childrenunitingnations.org)
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Become a special part of a child's life! Being a mentor for a child or teen in foster care affords you the opportunity to give back to the community in a very substantial way. By giving some of your time, you can inspire a youth to reach their potential. By enjoying simple pleasures like washing a car or going to a movie, you and your mentee will have a chance to learn about life together—either by working together on academics, or by exploring the community and just enjoying time together.

Change a life...change your life—be a mentor!

Benefits of Mentoring

• 59% of mentored teens get better grades
• Overall, youth participation in mentoring relationships experience positive academic returns
• Better attendance
• Increased chance of going on to higher education
• Better attitudes towards school
• 81% of teens feel that talking with adults helps reduce teen pregnancy
• 53% of students credit mentors with improving their ability to avoid drugs
• Mentoring enhances many aspects of young people's social and emotional development
• Participating in mentoring promoted positive social attitudes and relationships
• Mentors can open a new world to foster children that they otherwise may not have and help them realize their potential and dreams

Children Uniting Nations/mPLAY seeks responsible and enthusiastic volunteers who have a desire to make a difference in the life of a child and the community at large. Studies show that mentoring has a positive and significant effect on the likelihood that a young person will avoid negative behaviors and participate successfully in school and community life.

For more information on Children Uniting Nations Academic Mentoring Program read through our Academic Mentor Centers

Expectations

• Compassion, patience, flexibility and understanding for the individual situations of the children in foster care
• Commit to working with your mentee for the time specified

Requirements

• Must be 21yrs. or older to participate in relationship-based mentoring
• Must be 18yrs. or older to participate in academic mentoring
• Complete an application and participate in face to face interview
• Complete Mentor Survey
• Must clear criminal background check and child abuse index check
• Provide valid California Drivers License, DMV record, and proof of insurance before transporting mentees
• Sign an oath of confidentiality
• Attend agency orientation and training
• A caring heart

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The founder of CUN is Daphna Zimon. Her passion is unmatched and you just can't say no to her when she calls. Daphna grabs a few of her celebrity friends to take part, and also throws an Oscar viewing party fundraiser. I'm so thrilled to be the volunteer host this year along with actors Tommy Davidson and Tom Arnold. Top sponsorship is $100,000. I'm sure Daphna will raise lots of money for her fight to improve the lives of children in foster care. (the mentor day, "Day of the Child" is later this year)

So... again, who was your mentor? One of mine was a journalism professor who encouraged students to take internships working for free versus a paid job giving you no journalism experience. It was great advice I pass on to students. Thanks Professor Silver.



CD