Few 18-year-olds are ready to be completely independent, yet thousands of young adults age out of foster care each year without a family or support system. These transition-aged youth (TAYs) enter adulthood alone without guidance, assistance, or encouragement. The outcomes are grim: 90% in chronic poverty, 80% of men incarcerated, and 70% of women pregnant before age 21. Worse still, 50% of their children will enter foster care, too, perpetuating the cycle. The good news? We can make a difference by supporting transition-aged youth. For Others’ partner, Connections Homes, seeks to provide family-like mentorship to young adults aging out of foster care. The benefits of mentorship not only lead to better outcomes; they lead to committed, lifelong relationships. Read more to see the results and how mentorship fulfilled a young man’s dream of family.
What are the Benefits of Mentorship?
Mentorship takes many forms, but in foster care, a mentor can be a stable adult relationship amid uncertainty. The benefits of mentorship for youth and young adults help them tackle new challenges and gain experience. Mentors often assist with getting jobs, succeeding in school, or with broader life goals. Most importantly, investing in a young person shows that they matter, and that could make all the difference for a child in crisis.
Multiple reports and research papers show a correlation between mentorship and better outcomes for transition-aged youth. These include:
- Decreased rates of pregnancy
- Decreased rates of homelessness
- Decreased rates of depression or suicidal ideation
- Fewer health issues
- Increased rates of employment
- Increased rates of higher education
The Connections Homes Approach
In 2014, Connections Homes created their Don’t Go Alone (DGA) program. This strategy pairs youth and young adults with certified mentoring families for a lifelong connection. Their Choice-Based Matching model allows each participant to make the final decision. In addition to facilitating mentorship, the DGA program provides resources and assistance to youth as needs arise. Career Connection Centers offer career coaching, resume building, and interview skill-building.
Since the program’s beginning, Connections Homes has matched over 400 young adults to mentoring families. The benefits of mentorship show in the results. For young adults who join DGA:
- 93% pursue educational goals
- Less than 5% of women become pregnant
- Less than 1% of men interact with law enforcement
A supportive relationship and the tools to achieve their goals help transition-aged youth succeed in adulthood.
Aiyan’s Mentorship Story
At 19 years old, Aiyan has already navigated more transitions than most adults face in a lifetime. Originally from Chicago, he experienced significant instability during his childhood. His family moved several times and at one point lived in condemned housing with no electricity, heat, or running water. Due to various circumstances, Aiyan now lives at a center in Georgia for youth who, like him, are stepping into adulthood without the safety net of family.
Despite the hardship, Aiyan never stopped chasing his dreams. He graduated from high school in May with plans to pursue music production, balancing a part-time job and a pre-apprenticeship with an electrical contractor. For fun, he writes music, makes videos, cheers on Chicago sports teams, and builds intricate Lego creations. Aiyan describes himself as open, honest, and proud of his perspective on life.
But until recently, Aiyan felt he was missing something that couldn’t be found in a classroom or a paycheck. He wanted a trusted adult to walk beside him as he navigated the unknowns of young adulthood. Yearning for that support system, he turned to Connections Homes and their Don’t Go Alone program. Soon, they found a Mentoring Family match in Shane, Jenny, and their children. The entire family loved Aiyan from their first meeting.
“We picked him up for pizza and ice cream. We had the sweetest time hanging out, chatting about football, and getting to know each other,” Shane and Jenny said. “What a fine and special young man! Our whole family just adored him.”
For Aiyan, this wasn’t just a fun evening out, but the first step into something he’s always hoped for: a genuine connection with people who care, listen, and want to see him thrive. Since then, they’ve continued to build strong bonds and meaningful connections by spending time together, including Aiyan in family activities. Most importantly, Shane and Jenny provide a support system by sharing their experiences, offering guidance, and cheering Aiyan on as he pursues his goals. For him, those conversations are incredibly important.
“You can learn something from every genuine conversation you have,” Aiyan said.
Supporting Transition-Aged Youth
The most recent report from the Children’s Bureau indicates over 15,000 young adults like Aiyan aged out of foster care in 2023. These youth did not achieve family permanency, meaning most left state custody with little to no support. That’s why the work of partners like Connections Homes is crucial to ending the child welfare crisis in America. Mentorship can give a sense of belonging that may have been absent for a long time. Not only do transition-aged youth deserve the chance to thrive, but their children also deserve a chance to never experience the pain their parents endured. The benefits of mentorship break generational cycles and keep more kids out of foster care, further erasing the child welfare crisis.
When you give through For Others, you help us in supporting transition-aged youth as they create life-changing relationships with mentoring families who care deeply for them. Be a part of the movement. Make a donation today by clicking the button today.
