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Mentoring

Become a Mentor

BFT Mentoring Program

The mentoring program at Bringing Families Together (BFT) is a completely volunteer-based program matching adults in the community with foster care children / youth from ages 8-20 years old.

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Check out our video providing an overview of what it means to become a BFT mentor…

Mentoring Information Sessions

We provide Foster Care, Adoption & Mentoring Information Sessions once every month, alternating between in-person and online / zoom sessions. The info sessions are great opportunities to explore and learn more about becoming a mentor. We will introduce you to BFT and discuss what is involved in becoming a mentor. You will be able to chat with a licensing worker, learn more about the mentoring journey with no obligation! We will answer your questions as you explore the possibilities of getting involved and making a difference.

Please visit our events calendar for upcoming Foster Care, Adoption & Mentoring Information sessions. Our info sessions are held every month and alternate between in person and via zoom.

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About Your Commitment

BFT asks our mentor volunteers to make at least a year commitment to their mentee, with the hope that their relationship will last a lifetime.

 

The goal is consistency and helping our youth develop and experience healthy, long-lasting relationships. With that in mind, we request that our mentors see their mentees weekly as a norm.

Take Your First Step

Becoming a BFT mentor for a child / youth is a simple yet important process. It all begins by contacting us! 

‍Contact us to get started, and we will connect you with our mentoring coordinator. 

We also recommend attending a Foster Care, Adoption & Mentoring Information Session. 

Attending an info session is highly recommended to give you an overview of the program and answer any questions that you may have before taking your next step of filling out a mentor application.

 

We will be able to connect you with our mentoring coordinator from your participation in the info session.

 

Please see details further above on our info sessions and check out our upcoming info sessions on our events page.

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The next steps on your Journey

Here are the additional steps below on your mentoring journey, after you have started by contacting us. Your mentoring coordinator will guide and support you through every step!

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Mentor Application

Once you have been introduced to our mentor coordinator, you will receive a mentoring application. This application provides us with general information about you, which we use in matching you with a child / youth.

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Set up an Interview with the Mentoring Coordinator

This will give you a chance to meet and talk about the program more in depth than you did in the info session, with the actual mentoring coordinator.

3

Personal Reference Forms (and background checks)

We require three personal, non-relative references. This is a basic personal reference form, which will be provided to you by our mentoring coordinator, that will only take five minutes for your references to complete. (Background checks will be completed.)

5

Complete the initial training

BFT will provide you with initial training and resources to get you started and support you as a new mentor.

6

Be matched with a child/youth!

Once you complete the initial training, you will be matched with a child / youth once we identify a youth that will be a good fit! 

FAQS

Any Questions?

​Do you have questions about our mentoring program or would like to get started? We would love to hear from you!

  • How much does it cost to become a foster parent?
    It’s free! There is NO cost to you for the foster care training or foster home study.
  • How do I find a licensing agency?
    You already have! Bringing Families Together is a licensing agency, and we would love to help you! We will guide you through the process to become a licensed foster parent for BFT.
  • How do I get started?
    Just call us! You may call our foster inquiry line at 314-938-5690 or reach out to Resource Family Director Kim Brown at 314-938-5704 or via email at KimB@bringingfamiliestogether.com. You may also attend an Info Session HERE.
  • Will I receive training?
    Yes, the MOCARES 10 session training will be provided free of charge.
  • Will there be home visits?
    Yes, there will be several home visits to ensure safety in the home and complete the assessment process.
  • Can I foster as a single parent?
    Yes! You do not need to be married to become a foster parent!
  • Do I need to own my own house?
    No, you do not need to own your own home.
  • Will I have ongoing support?
    Yes! Bringing Families Together provides ongoing support through your licensing worker and added trainings to support you as a parent.
  • Who makes a good foster parent?
    All individuals and couples who love children and can provide a safe and caring home for children.
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Resources

For additional resources to support your journey as a mentor, you may wish to check out the following:

  • Lorm Ipsum

  • Lorm Ipsum

  • Lorm Ipsum

Upcoming Events

Movie with Saint Louis Partners: Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot - FREE!
Movie with Saint Louis Partners: Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot - FREE!
Join with foster care resource families, potential foster care resource families and staff for a showing of Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot. Tickets MUST be reserved through this event system and are limited.
Testimonials

What our Mentors & Youth say...

Careers

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