FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Silver Lining Mentoring information session provides an interactive overview of the Massachusetts child welfare system from the perspective of a youth.
Youth Radio compiled some stories and experiences of foster care, this is just an overview, and each story is unique, but it helps contextualize what a young person may experience.
There are approximately 443,000 young people in foster care across the United States, and approximately 10,000 in Massachusetts.
Silver Lining Mentoring aims to serve approximately 250 youth per year in the greater Boston area.
Silver Lining Mentoring and our mentors are committed to our young people long-term. Mentoring relationships supported by Silver Lining Mentoring last an average of 55 months, which is over six times the national average of 9 months.
We were founded by a young man who grew up in foster care. You can read our history here.
Silver Lining Mentoring offers three core programs: Community Based Mentoring, Learn & Earn, and Young Adult Services. Young people and mentors in all programs are supported by program staff with population-specific expertise and clinical training.
Anyone who lives in the Greater Boston area, is 21 or older, and is willing to make at least a year-long commitment, can apply to become a mentor. Please click here for qualities of a good mentor.
Mentors are asked to commit to spending at least 8 hours per month with their young person for a minimum of one year.
Please visit the mentor page for information on the steps in the process. The first step is to attend an information session. You can see upcoming Info Session dates here.
In Community Based Mentoring, matches engage in free or low-cost activities in the community where the young person lives. Mentor/mentee matches decide together on what activities to do based on personal interest, allowing them to build strong, trusting relationships. Examples may include playing basketball, getting pizza or ice cream, hiking, obtaining a learner’s permit, visiting an animal sanctuary, going to a museum, or volunteering together.
In Learn & Earn, young people and mentors start their relationships by participating in a 12-week lifeskills curriculum with weekly workshops facilitated by Silver Lining mentoring staff focused on financial literacy and employment skills. At the conclusion of the Learn & Earn program, matches have the opportunity to transition into SLM’s Community Based Mentoring program.
The large majority of our youth live throughout the Greater Boston area. Most SLM youth are living in residential programs, group home, and some of our young people live with foster families, or live independently.
No. If you do not have a car, we will do our best to match you with a youth who lives in an area accessible by public transportation.
Join the Board of Ambassadors! Learn about SLM’s events and how you can volunteer at Match or help in other ways.