youth mentoring

Youth growing up in the child welfare system for any length of time often don’t have stable, safe adults in their lives. This leads to insecurity, hopelessness, and sometimes homelessness, addiction or despair. RaisingHOPE is working to prevent those outcomes and provide youth with solid adult connections on a long-term basis.

RaisingHOPE matches youth with a trained adult mentor to advise, support, and encourage them through life. Our mentors and mentees forge meaningful connections, and the resulting relationships often become the core support system in the youth’s life.

Adults tell us that mentoring is one of the most rewarding things they have ever done! RaisingHOPE leads a 1-day adult mentor training class and maintains a growing list of youth requesting to be paired with mentors.

Become a Mentor:

  • Complete mentor application
  • Attend RaisingHOPE’s mentor training class. Email mentors@raisinghope.org for class dates
  • Pass a background check
  • Once approved, mentors meet with mentees at least two times per month
  • Commit to mentoring for one year
Mentor Application Form
Getting to Know You Questionnaire

Would you like someone to support you? Cheer you on? Be an adviser? Do you need a person to listen to you, to celebrate with you when things go right, someone who can give you wisdom when things aren’t going well?

RaisingHOPE’s mentoring program wants to give you the opportunity to make a reliable, stable, caring adult connection for a lifetime. This program is entirely voluntary – you just request to be matched with an adult mentor.

Mentors and mentees meet at least twice a month. All adult mentors  are trained and background checked.

Who is eligible for a mentor?

  • Youth ages 13-26 (other ages will be considered on a case-by-case basis.)
  • Currently are or have been in the child welfare system
  • Have had an open juvenile dependency case
  • Currently a foster youth, or former foster youth
  • Reside in Ventura County or the Conejo Valley (Newbury Park through Calabasas).
Youth Mentorship Referral Form

To apply for a mentor, please email mentors@raisinghope.org or call 805-491-5439.