Developmental Support

How does Stand Up For Kids work to support cognitive development?

Homeless at-risk youth need guidance, role models, and accountability partners to assist them in big transitions and in parts of their cognitive development, especially when it comes to planning and being able to follow through with that plan. The mentors hold the adolescents accountable for taking the steps necessary and sticking to the plan to achieve their goals.

Youth are matched with two mentors and are scheduled to meet with them on a weekly basis. The mentoring sessions are when the mentor and youth work together to develop a plan. The mentors help them prioritize and then execute the plan made.

The mentor program assists youth with their education by providing in-school mentoring and after-school mentoring. This is offered to discourage youth from unplanned teen pregnancy or getting involved in gangs. The educational support also encourages graduation from high school and positive association with learning for the youth. The mentors are there to assist with a study plan and tutoring, or any challenges that occur because of the unstable housing the youth experience. It helps show them they are intelligent, capable, and will succeed after staying committed to their education. There's weekly counseling provided that focuses on life and career challenges, access to computers, and assistance with homework.

Another aspect of mentorship involves small group and center-based mentoring which is an option for homeless youth from the ages of 18 years old to 24 years old. They're given resources and basic necessities like food, clothing, and toiletries. There is support given to them from mentors for writing resumes, interview preparation, acquiring their birth certificate, and building their life skills. This includes overcoming challenges in situations they're faced with.

The mentorship program helps youth set goals, assigns them homework, and gets referrals to other professionals if needed.

The mentors want to provide a safe space for the homeless youth and provide fellowship where the youth can feel comfortable to talk about what they're struggling with and celebrate their achievements. The mentoring programs ultimately plan to meet the mission of ending the cycle of youth homelessness combined with giving housing support, education support, and the use of a life skills program.

There are 8 different locations that provide the Mentoring programs!

California (Orange County, San Diego, Silicon Valley)

Georgia (Atlanta)

Illinois (Chicago)

Texas (San Antonio)

Virginia (Hampton Roads)

Washington (Olympia/Thurston County)