National Mentoring Month
January is National Mentoring Month—a time to celebrate the transformative power of mentorship and its role in helping youth impacted by foster care achieve their goals and realize their potential. At Foster Forward, we see how meaningful connections with mentors provide the guidance, encouragement, and opportunities that young people need to thrive.
Through our Real Connections Mentoring Program, youth are matched with supportive adults who help them navigate life’s challenges and discover their strengths. Additionally, our Enterprising Connections program, now fully integrated into Works Wonders®, pairs youth with trauma-informed, culturally responsive mentors, equipping them with career skills and social networks critical for success.
This month’s newsletter is filled with inspiring stories and opportunities to get involved, including:
A behind-the-scenes look at the Enterprising Connections program review and its impact.
Powerful podcast conversations featuring Youth Leader Renny, her mentor Tamara, and our Director of Career Pathways, Bernadette.
Ways to join us as a mentor or employer partner and make a lasting difference in the lives of youth transitioning out of foster care.
Thank you for standing with us as we work to empower youth and create lasting change. Your support makes these opportunities possible, and together, we’re helping young people thrive.
National Mentoring Month Podcast
In honor of National Mentoring Month, Works Wonders® Youth Leader Renny sat down with Bernadette, our Director of Career Pathways, for an inspiring episode of our youth podcast series. Together, they discussed the impact of mentoring, the success of our Enterprising Connections program, and much more. Tune in to their conversation here!
Enterprising Connections Pilot Review
At Foster Forward, we’re committed to creating life-changing opportunities for youth transitioning out of foster care. With the generous support of The Annie E. Casey Foundation and Department of Labor and Training (DLT), and in partnership with the Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA), we launched the Enterprising Connections pilot to address inequities for BIPOC youth.
Following its success, the pilot concluded in the fall of 2024 and has now been officially integrated into our Works Wonders® program. This initiative paired young people with trauma-informed, culturally responsive mentors, equipping them with critical career skills, social capital, and leadership opportunities.
We’re excited to share our program review, showcasing how Enterprising Connections is driving real impact and helping create a more equitable workforce in Rhode Island.
