Being a Volunteer:

Are you interested in assisting a youth in foster care as they transition out of the system and into adulthood?

Are you a caring, energetic individual who has an interest in volunteering a few hours per week to mentor a youth who is in the foster care system? If you are interested, we have just the right opportunity for you. The Virginia Beach Department of Human Services and the Together We Can Foundation have joined forces to create a wonderful program to provide hope and a path to higher education and vocational training for youth in foster care.

Who we need:

We are looking for adults who can commit at least one hour a week to provide support and guidance to the youth who are receiving services via the Together We Can Foundation. Since a sense of consistency and constancy is so important to youth who have had their lives uprooted, we want volunteers who can make a multi-year commitment.

Educational Mentors - Each educational mentor will work with one child with the goal of keeping the youth in school and ensuring that educational progress is being made. The educational mentor will coordinate with the student, school personnel, the Access Counselor (if appropriate), the foster parents and the staff of the Department of Human Services. The mentor will be expected to either provide tutoring or arranging for tutoring if needed.

Business/Higher Education Mentors - Business or higher education mentors will meet the youth and assist them in envisioning the educational and employment opportunities they can pursue. In addition these mentors will provide basic employment information such as how to write a resume, how to have a winning job interview and basic on the job skills.

Community Mentors – These mentors will provide emotional support and guidance, coordinate and if needed accompany the youth to social events and identify donors for needed goods and services such as dresses or tuxes for the prom.

Volunteer Applicants:

Adults twenty-five and older are eligible to apply to be a volunteer mentors.

Volunteer Requirements:

1. All applicants must complete a Volunteer Services Application Packet. This includes a personal information form, a confidentiality agreement, a case access inquiry and a release a release of information for schools, employers, and other forms as required.
2. Applicants must complete federal and state criminal history checks, and Child Protective Services background investigation. You will be referred to the Virginia Beach Department of Human Services personnel for completion of these background checks.
3. Applicants will be interviewed in person and matched with an appropriate youth.
4. The Volunteer Resource Manager will provide accepted volunteers with a general overview of the agency. Volunteers will receive eight hours of training to include the policies and laws governing child protective services, foster care, special needs of youth in foster care and educational needs of foster youth.
5. Volunteers must be available to attend training courses offered through City of Virginia Beach.