YWCA Independent Living Skills (ILS) Program

Our program is set to help youth who are in foster care (referred by their social worker) to prepare to transition into independent living. Once they have been referred they can stay in the program through the age of 21. By partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters, mentors are provided to the program participants as another support to help navigate the system as they prepare to leave foster care and become independent individuals.

GOAL/MISSION:
The mission of the independent living skills program is to use positive guidance to encourage growth in self-reliance through advocacy, self-esteem building, increased responsibilities, and healthy relationship structuring so that youth successfully transition from state-supported care to self-sufficiency and independent thinking within the community.

WHO IS MENTORED?
Youth (male and female) age 15-21 who are participants of the ILS Program

CURRENT NUMBER OF MENTORS/MENTEES:
Nine

WHO CAN MENTOR?
Men or Women who are at least 23 years old

TRAINING REQUIRED:
There will be YWCA agency training as well as specific mentor training.  Approximately 12 hours to start with a total of 24 before the end of the year.

TIME COMMITMENT REQUIRED:
We ask for a minimum of 1 year with a minimum of 6 hours of contact per month.

CURRENT WAITING LIST:
We have approximately 30 potential mentees