Foster-Care Mentoring in The Bay Area
Mentors change lives one hour at a time
We are here to educate you about foster care, equip you to invest in youth, and give you a meaningful supportive community—so you can help transform the foster-care system in our area.
Get equipped and mentor confidently
At Braid Mission, we’re confident that everyone is capable of making a lasting difference—regardless of how busy you are or how unprepared you feel.
That’s why we train you and match you with a team of volunteers, so you’re not in this alone. You’re not responsible for resolving lifelong struggles or trauma; your job is to show up and have fun with your mentee!
Experience our team approach that helps everyone flourish
Each Braid team consists of one youth in foster care, three adult volunteers, and one facilitator. Together, each member contributes to a positive, stable environment where healing can take place.
Youth
Through our mentorship program, youth in foster care can enjoy consistent, fun relationships and slowly see a restored vision of what a healthy community can look like.
Mentors
When scheduling conflicts inevitably come up, your mentee will still get the consistency they need thanks to our team approach. Plus, you get to enjoy connecting with your fellow volunteers.
Facilitators
You can mentor confidently knowing your facilitator has your team’s back. They are one call away when you need guidance in navigating a difficult topic or situation. Learn more.
Are you ready to make a difference? Here’s how it works...
Team Mentorship
Get matched with two other adult volunteers and mentor as a team.
One Hour a Week
One hour a week with your mentee is all it takes to make a lasting difference.
Fun Adventures
Explore the Bay Area as a team as you spend intentional time with your mentee.
What does mentoring actually look like?
The possibilities are endless! Each week, your team gets to decide what adventures you’ll go on with your mentee. The goal is to spend time together and have fun.
Here are a few ideas to get you started…
Feel connected to the city you live in.
Understand the needs of your community on a deeper level, give back to your neighbors, and enjoy exploring the area with your mentee.
Spend your time in a meaningful way.
In the hour it takes to watch an episode of your favorite show, you can make a positive impact that could affect generations to come!
Get equipped to mentor confidently.
Learning about the foster-care system can be overwhelming. Through training sessions, we will equip you to mentor confidently—so you can contribute to healing.
Enjoy a fun, supportive community that cares about you.
Becoming a mentor gives you access to teammates on the same mission who can quickly become friends.
Sean Avent
Braid Mentor"Being a mentor with Braid lets me do good. I know that with the other mentors, we make a difference. We have fun. There are lots of smiles. And I get to play like a kid again too."
Molly Ancello
Braid Mentor"My experience with Braid has been life-changing. I was matched with an absolutely amazing youth, who inspires me every day. The unique team-based mentoring approach is one-of-a-kind, and that extra level of support is exactly why I chose to volunteer with Braid. I am so thankful for this experience and I would highly recommend Braid to anyone looking to get involved with foster youth and have an impact."
An Nguyen
Braid Mentor"A key difference when mentoring with Braid Mission is that we can mentor the same youth for a longer term, beyond the year or so durations I've done with other nonprofits. Braid's multiple-mentor team per youth allows flexibility so that a mentor can step into or out of a team as life changes."
Dan Landers
Braid Mentor"I moved back to the Bay Area in April of 2020 after a few years away and found a city struggling with the effects of the pandemic. After looking for ways to help my local community, with a focus on the most vulnerable, I came across Braid Mission. The work they do with children in the foster system is incredibly important in creating stability for those that lack it most. "
Jeanette Wright
Braid Mentor"I've been a volunteer mentor at Braid Mission since 2018 for a very amazing and smart child. The team at Braid has always been hands on, extremely diligent and very kind with their support of all volunteers every step of the way."
Jasmine Cabanaw
Braid Mentor"I wanted to be a mentor for a long time, and Braid Mission has been the perfect fit. The training they provided has been invaluable and the time I spend with my mentee is my favorite part of the week!"
Tracy Collins
Braid Mentor"I am grateful to be a mentor for Braid. Care and thought is put into establishing each team along with our mentee. I enjoy collaborating on purposeful and fun ideas we can do with our time together. I am constantly inspired by my entire group and we are always supported by our team facilitator. I’m happy I made the decision to be part of this incredibly led organization."
Bri Kapellas
Braid Mentor"It is such a joy mentoring through Braid Mission and being part of the Braid community. Braid's innovative team-based mentoring makes it possible to create a meaningful relationship with my mentee while having the flexibility to travel and attend to personal needs while my teammates keep up continuity meeting with our mentee. I have so many precious memories with my mentee and teammates over the years."
Stephanie Kim
Braid Mentor"Braid has been an incredibly enriching experience. The intergenerational team model is especially unique — it enables us to offer diverse perspectives to our youth. It has felt so rewarding to form a long-term connection with my youth, fellow mentors, and facilitator, and to grow together as a team."
Nicolette De Simone
Braid Mentor"Spending time with our mentee each week and watching him grow into a smart, confident young adult has been the highlight of my experience with Braid Mission over the past year and a half. I've learned so much from both our mentee and my fellow mentors about patience, friendship, and finding joy in the small moments."
Patricia Britt
Braid Mentor"Being a Braid Mission mentor is challenging, inspiring, soul nurturing fun! I’m grateful for the opportunity and recommend it highly!"
Samantha Dols
Braid Mentor"My time with Braid has been incredibly rewarding, from the first orientation session to every hangout session with our youth. I've loved working with my teammates and coalescing around the mission to provide a safe, fun, and meaningful experience for our youth weekly."
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s simple to get started. Here’s how it works.
Contact us.
Fill out our online mentor application. The link is below.
Register for
training.
Sign up for training to learn more about the foster-care system and our mentorship approach.
Get matched.
Meet your team of fellow volunteers and a youth in foster care.
Start making
a difference!
Be part of addressing the foster-care crisis in your community.