A Hand to Hold Youth Advocacy Program
The purpose of “A Hand to Hold” program is to mentor local abused and neglected youth who are served by The Blue Ribbon Project. Mentors will work closely with the youth, social services workers, foster families and CASAs as a person who is there voluntarily to point them to resources to help achieve necessary life skills.
A Hand to Hold provides consistent, one-on-one relationships with caring adults who can offer encouragement, practical life skills, and emotional support. Through mentorship, we strive to help these young individuals build confidence, develop independence, and create a strong foundation for their future success.
Our mentoring program is designed to work hand-in-hand with the life skills classes we offer, creating a well-rounded support system for youth aging out of foster care. While the classes focus on teaching essential skills such as budgeting, job readiness, time management, and self-care our mentors provide the personal guidance and accountability that help these lessons stick and become part of everyday life.
Mentors will serve as trusted role models who reinforce what is taught in class, help youth apply those skills in real-world situations, and provide encouragement through each step of their journey. This combination of structured learning and individualized support ensures that young people not only gain knowledge but also the confidence and experience to use it effectively.
Together, our life skills curriculum and mentoring relationships create a powerful foundation for long-term independence and success.
Our programs are designed to complement the efforts of social workers, and our life skills curriculum and mentoring relationships create a powerful foundation for long-term independence and success. Together with DSS, we can help meet all benchmarks and work together to ease the burden on those who work so hard to make a difference in the lives of foster youth.
Volunteer Mentor Recruitment
The Blue Ribbon Project is committed to recruiting dedicated and compassionate mentors who demonstrate integrity, reliability, and an understanding of the unique challenges faced by foster youth. All recruitment efforts will prioritize the safety and well-being of youth participants and adhere to equal opportunity principles.
Recruitment announcements will be made on the Blue Ribbon Project’s website, social media platforms, at community events, and throughpartner organizations. Marketing materials will clearly communicate the mission, volunteer expectations, and the impact of mentorship.
All mentor applicants must:
Be at least 21 years of age.
Successfully pass a criminal background check and child abuse clearance
Successfully pass a driving record check.
Complete an in-person interview
Commit to a minimum of one year of mentoring service (unless specified otherwise for special programs).
Complete required training prior to being matched with a mentee.
The Blue Ribbon Project provides equal volunteer opportunities without discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.
If you are interested in learning more about the Hand to Hold Youth Advocacy Program, please contact Stacey Boone at
