DHS | Department of Human Services

Achieving Independence Center to host Mentor Recognition Luncheon

Philadelphia--In honor of National Mentoring Month, the Achieving Independence Center (AIC) and PathWaysPA, Inc. will host the 5th Annual Mentor Recognition Luncheon on Saturday, January 26, from 1:00 to 4:00 at Temple University—SAC Annex, 1755 North 13th Street.. The luncheon, which will feature a keynote address by Lisa Nutter, is a tribute to the outstanding work of the many mentors who work with youth aging out of foster care.

The event will also feature opening remarks by Arthur Evans, Acting Director of the Philadelphia Department of Human Services; performances by mentors, mentees and guests; a mentor recognition ceremony; a slide show and a raffle.

“Mentors play an invaluable role to youth in foster care,” says Evans. “Most of these young people have grown up with out the benefit of strong parental role models. A mentor can help a foster youth develop his or her interests and talents, teach good decision making skills and, most importantly, lend unconditional support.”

Since it began in 2004, the mentoring program at the AIC has matched at least 70 foster youth to mentors and enabled more than 100 youth to participate in mentor events focusing on educational awareness, cultural diversity, community service projects and social activities. This past year, the Center added a male mentoring component and has already matched 10 youth to male mentors. In addition, the Center recently received a grant from the Child Welfare League of America to offer a peer mentoring program in which older youth who are or have been in foster care will mentor younger foster children.

According to AIC director Evelyn Busby, in addition to matching youth with mentors, the AIC’s mentor program offers a host of activities focusing on issues of concern to older youth. This month it began a six-part career mentoring series, which provides youth with information about various careers including nursing, law enforcement, communication, and science/engineering as well as career related issues such as entrepreneurship, advocacy and worker's rights. Other events address topics such as money management, domestic violence and parenting.

To learn more about becoming a mentor to a youth in foster care call the Achieving Independence Center at 215-574-9194.