January was National Mentoring Month
San Diego CA— In honor of National Mentoring Month, Promises2Kids hosted a Mentor Appreciation Event, which brought foster youth and their mentors together at Rockin’ Baja Lobster in Mira Mesa on Saturday, January 19th. Attendees enjoyed lunch, painted tote bags, and mentors were acknowledged and thanked.
“This event brought so many youth closer to their mentors,” said Jacqui Le, Promises2Kids Mentor. “I’ve had many mentors in my life and I wanted to give that same opportunity to someone else and be there for them, like others were there for me. For about a year and a half, I’ve been mentoring Victoria who is currently a Guardian Scholar. Our relationship has become more of a big sister relationship as oppose to a mentorship.”
“Jacqui is a great person and an awesome friend. She is more than just a mentor. She is like a big sister to me and is close to me in age. She is equally my friend as I am hers,” said Victoria Willis.
Of the 55% of former foster youth that attend college, only 8% will graduate nationally compared to the 80% of Promises2Kids Guardian Scholars who will successfully complete their education. Of these Guardian Scholars, over 90% will be first-generation graduates.
Promises2Kids’ Guardian Scholars encourages foster youth to pursue higher education through community college, trade school or a university degree. This highly successful resource provides former foster youth with a partial financial scholarship along with mentoring support to assist them in adapting to and excelling in a higher education setting.