Across the country, a quarter of Americans mentor a child in some capacity each year. However, fewer than half of those who mentor do so through a formal program.
For Antwon Boone, becoming a mentor wasn’t part of his plan.
Blog Articles
Dimarco shares his message of hope
I know what it feels like to pack your life into a trash bag.
I know what it feels like to walk into a new house and not know if you’re staying two weeks or two years.
I know what it feels like to pretend you’re okay at school when your whole life feels unstable.
Youth Villages of Tupelo walks alongside Lee County families through life’s hardest seasons
Erica Robinson, the state director of Youth Villages in Mississippi, spoke with Meredith Biesinger from the Daily Journal about the work Youth Villages is doing in Tupelo and the surrounding areas in Lee County. Erica emphasized how staff help parents navigate a...
Red Kite Nite 2026: A Village Comes Together to Dream Bigger
There are moments throughout the year that remind us why community matters and Red Kite Nite 2026 was one of them. The event was a reflection of what happens when a village comes together with a shared purpose: to ensure every young person has the opportunity to dream bigger and achieve more.
Helping young people be kids again through mentorship
Mentoring has long been a part of Kenitra Stevens’ life. From serving with AmeriCorps in college to guiding teen mothers and working as a teacher, Stevens has consistently supported young people.
Darrion and his mom find help at home with a positive Intercept experience
Henrietta, a single mom in suburban Atlanta, lived in constant fear – terrified she might lose her young son, Darrion, or that someone who didn’t understand his mental and behavioral struggles might hurt him.
Update “A Home for Every Child” initiative
The Administration for Children and Families’ ‘A Home for Every Child’ initiative gives states a new focus to streamline the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) with one goal: achieving a 1:1 ratio of children to available foster home. As developments are moving quickly, Impact & Insights will provide regular updates on the initiative.
ACF fast-tracks seven in-home programs as part of the “A Home for Every Child” initiative
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is accelerating state and tribal use of seven evidence-based in-home services/home visiting programs as part of its drive to achieve a foster home-to-child ratio greater than 1:1 in every state.
Georgia MATCH effort helps families find the right support sooner
Nick, 17, had been living in hotels around Atlanta with his mom and two siblings for more than a year. There was physical and emotional abuse, food insecurity, prevalent substance abuse, and very little structure or supervision. Diagnosed with ADHD and intellectual disabilities, Nick started acting out. He was suspended from school twice in just a few weeks, took his mother’s car without permission and refused his medication.
New Jersey looks to build a workforce designed for older youth
Supporting older youth in foster care requires a different kind of workforce. Young people ages 16 to 23 are moving toward adulthood while navigating questions about housing, education, employment, relationships and permanency. Traditional case management structures do not always give staff the time or flexibility to meet their needs in a meaningful way.