StepStones for Youth - Volunteer Mentor for Youth
Thank you so much for your interest in becoming a mentor! You must be minimum 25y/o to be a mentor. Below is an overview of our mentoring program, a checklist of things to do, and an invitation to the next steps of this journey. If you have checked off other volunteer opportunities, a staff member will reach out to you accordingly.
About StepStones for Youth
StepStones for Youth is a registered charitable organization in Toronto in operation since 2004. We employ preventative intervention programming for vulnerable youth who have been involved in Ontario’s Child Protection Services. The young people we serve have significant histories of trauma, abuse, neglect, unstable guardian care, and are living in poverty. Our intended objectives for youth are to create positive and meaningful connections; increase school engagement, high school graduation, and post-secondary enrollment; and increase stable housing, mental and physical health, and strong circles of support. Meeting these objectives results in reduced homelessness, isolation, criminal involvement, and long-term dependency on social services.
The Youth Support Services Program (YSS)
The first of its kind in Ontario, StepStones’ Youth Support Services (YSS) Program serves youth aged 15-24 who are in and transitioning out of the foster care and child welfare systems in Toronto. Our unique program combines the research backed benefits of mentorship with a scaffolded approach to assisting youth from foster care transition to healthy adult lives and achieve their full potential. With one-to-one mentorship a key component of our programming and a supportive StepStones youth worker, we give vulnerable youth the tools, guidance, and confidence required for health, stability, and success in the areas of housing, education and employment, mental health, and network development.
In alliance with StepStones’ philosophy, the most efficient and effective way to reduce youth homelessness, poverty and high school dropout rates, is to address the needs and risk factors of youth who are at high-risk of becoming homeless before they experience it. The principle aim of this program is to help youth secure and maintain safe and stable housing, develop their support network of trusted adults and increase their educational attainment. With the support of their worker and mentor, youth are able to achieve these goals.
StepStones’ Youth Housing and Mentorship Program achieves the following objectives:
Youth who are part of the StepStones YSS program are:
Volunteer Role
The StepStones Youth Support Services Program, is looking for diverse energetic individuals (minimum 25y/o) who would like to mentor youth leaving foster care or group homes.
You will be asked to meet with a youth at least once every 2-3 weeks for approximately 3-4 hours at a time. A minimum three-year commitment is required (but we prefer it if you treat this as a lifelong commitment to the youth). During your meetups with your mentee, you may attend workshops put on by StepStones and/or engage in fun activities such as attending a movie, going for lunch, attending a festival, going ice skating, rock climbing, sports event and/or other low-cost activities in the city. During most sessions, the mentor and their mentee would be expected to work towards some of the goals created at the beginning of their union. Examples include resume writing, job search, registering for school, learning how to cook, connecting with services in the community, etc. We are in need of mentors who are BIPOC and/or work in the trades.
The next upcoming Volunteer Information Session is on November 26th at 12pm via Zoom. Please apply below for further details.
Please apply here: https://tinyurl.com/ssvolunteerapplication