Mentor Washington

For two decades, MENTOR Washington has been at the forefront of fostering meaningful connections that change lives. Our commitment has supported a beautifully diverse community of youth across Washington State, guiding them through challenges and opportunities alike.

Youth We Impact:

• 51% of youth in state mentoring programs are involved with the juvenile justice system or experiencing foster or kinship care.
• 74% of these young individuals come from low-income households, facing unique challenges that require tailored support.
• 64% of mentored youth identify as BIPOC, bringing diverse perspectives and enriching the mentoring experience.

Mentoring Foster Youth

MENTOR Washington (MW) and Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) have partnered to host a pilot to provide mentorship specifically for youth experiencing foster care.

The partnership includes local programs who deliver the mentoring services either through volunteers or staff. MW and DCYF are providing training and technical support to partner programs. Mentoring is added support not only for youth but for foster parents as well.

Supporting Mentors

At MENTOR Washington, we believe every young person deserves a champion. Through advocacy, training, and direct support, we empower mentors and programs dedicated to nurturing the potential of every child. Our ongoing efforts ensure that mentors are equipped to provide the guidance and support that make all the difference.

MENTOR Washington is proud to work with so many agencies in Washington State. We have developed partnerships and deep relationships over the past 20 years. We work collaboratively to directly support vulnerable youth as well as impact systems change. MENTOR Washington is a critical part of the safety net for the most vulnerable youth in Washington State.

Our partnership with DCYF goes all the way back to our roots. The work began at DSHS and has transitioned to DCYF. We collaboratively support mentorship for youth experiencing foster care and the juvenile justice system.  

MENTOR Washington provides critical support to programs providing mentorship to the most vulnerable youth in our communities. This is achieved through shared work with DCYF staff members including professional development and robust programming such as our pilot for Mentoring Youth Experiencing Foster Care. This pilot launched in 2023 and MENTOR Washington brings together DCYF staff, mentoring providers and young adults with lived experience to implement best practices.

The education of Washington youth is a critical component of a young person's growth and development. Our partners at OSPI know that relationships between educators and students matter. A community's support is also critical for healthy schools and OSPI has proven to be champions of mentoring time and time again. 

Mentoring is an evidenced-based prevention strategy for substance abuse and positively impacts behavioral health. Our partners at the Health Care Authority collaborate with MENTOR Washington to review mentoring programs who apply for HCA funding, ensuring that programs are indeed implementing best practices for mentoring.

If you provide community based mentoring and are looking for funding we might have a resource for you! Start by filling out our Mentoring Practices Survey*. Once you fill out the survey:

1. You will met with someone on MENTOR Washington's team and they will discuss with you if you are eligible for Community Prevention & Wellness funding through the Healthcare Authority and local CPWI coalitions.
2. Our team will work with you to see what support you may need for your mentoring program to optimize youth outcomes!

*If you already filled out the Mentoring Practices Survey recently feel free to reach out to Harmony at [email protected]

****IMPORTANT**** There is pre-work involved that needs to be completed before the training dates, otherwise we are unable to let you in into the training!

Join us for a comprehensive online training session on youth mental health first aid. This event is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to provide initial help to young people experiencing mental health challenges or crises.

During this training, you will learn practical strategies to identify common mental health issues in youth, including anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. The instructor will guide you through interactive sessions, role-playing exercises, and real life stories to enhance your understanding.

Part 1 of the training will take place on Tues, Feb 11th, 2025 at 10:00AM-1:00PM PST. It will cover topics such as risk factors, warning signs, and effective communication techniques. Part 2 will follow next week at the same time at Tues, Feb 18th, 2025 at 10:00AM-1:00PM PST to delve deeper into intervention strategies and resources.

Don't miss this opportunity to become a certified youth mental health first aider and make a positive impact in the lives of young individuals. Register now to secure your spot!

Register Here

We have little extra seats beyond the 25 tickets, please reach out to me personally if you yourself or a small team is still wanting to register. My email address is the following: [email protected]