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8103 Broadway, Suite 204 San Antonio, TX 78209
210-852-0220
THRU Project | Resources for Foster Youth
  • ABOUT
    • OUR Mission & History
    • Our Programs
    • THRU Board of Directors
    • THRU Staff
    • Careers
    • 2021 Annual Report
  • YOUTH
    • Apply to receive a mentor!
    • Next Step Housing
      • Next Step Housing: Vocational Program
      • Next Step Housing: College Program
    • Supervised Independent Living
    • Life Skills Program
    • Cell Phone Program
    • Youth Resources >>>
      • DFPS PALS Benefits
      • Jobs & Employment
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Words From A Mentor

Homepage All Words From A Mentor

Words From A Mentor

THRU Project
November 10, 2021
All
Be the mentor you wish you had and THRU Project logo

Volunteer mentor, Carol Bertsch, and her THRU Project mentee, Elysia, have been matched for three years. Together, they have celebrated important milestones like high school graduation and college acceptance. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been a worthwhile experience. Recently, Carol sat down with our Mentor Program Coordinator, Alyssa, to discuss her decision to become a mentor to a former foster youth, and offered a little advice to those considering it.

It didn’t take Carol long to decide to become a mentor, “Knowing that many [former foster youth] lack support, I thought it was important to provide what I could,” and that’s exactly what she has done. Not only does Carol volunteer her time as a mentor, she provides support to THRU Project as a donor.

Choosing To Create Change

Building A Relationship With A Former Foster Youth

“I would highly recommend mentoring because I think it is extremely worthwhile. It is an obligation that those blessed to have support as we become young adults should share. I would recommend and say it is something they must do, but I would caution folks not to have unrealistic expectations. It is a worthwhile relationship; you cannot expect them to accept you and be open with you from the get-go,”  says Carol.

Creating a lasting and robust relationship requires patience and consistency; it is a  process that cannot be rushed. Most former foster youth come from a place of trauma, having been let down by many adults in their lives.

infographic covering statistics about aging out of foster care

Mentors must be willing to demonstrate to youth that they are there because they genuinely care.

In the early stages of their mentoring relationship, Carol says Elysia “was very reserved and shy … she was not confident in expressing her opinion.” Their relationship gradually grew stronger. Today, Elysia is “far more open and willing to express herself.”

Carol and Elysia bonded over a shared love of bookstores and exploring the shelves for new reading material. When asked to tell us a little about Elysia, you can hear the pride in Carol’s voice. She talks about Elysia’s love of reading and her hope to become a published author. She says Elysia is working on a book, but does not have much time to spend [writing] because she is a student at UTSA in her sophomore year.

Choose to Make a Difference

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a mentor, please email Alyssa Bafidis at [email protected].

Article by THRU Project

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  • THRU Project Joins Forces with NAMI to Provide Monthly Support Groups for Young Adults with a History of Foster Care Monday, 27, Jun
  • 2022 Fashion Show was all about our Youth! Thursday, 26, May
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Monday, 19, Sep
New Housing Program to Help Former Foster Youth Finish College
Monday, 27, Jun
THRU Project Joins Forces with NAMI to Provide Monthly Support Groups for Young Adults with a History of Foster Care
Thursday, 26, May
2022 Fashion Show was all about our Youth!
Thursday, 26, May
THRU Project’s First Poetry Contest
Thursday, 30, Dec
A Very Special Christmas for Former Foster Youth
Monday, 15, Nov
Kym’s Angels Makes Surprise Investment

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