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Comforting Gesture

Our free Foster Care Mentorship & Leadership Development Program is a structured, relationship-centered initiative serving foster and kinship youth ages 8–18 in Hillsborough County. The program provides consistent, cohort-based support through identity-centered mentorship, social-emotional development, and future-readiness preparation across a semester engagement model, meeting weekly at Feeding Tampa Bay, beginning January 14th.​

 

Designed for youth navigating family disruption, placement transitions, and living grief, the program creates a safe and consistent environment where participants can process experiences, build resilience, and develop a stronger sense of identity and direction.​

 

Through this model, youth increase protective factors, strengthen emotional regulation, improve social and emotional competencies, and gain clarity toward long-term academic, personal, and workforce pathways.​

 

Each cohort is facilitated by trained, grief-informed mentors and supported by oversight to ensure trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate implementation.

MENTORSHIP

Identity for Today. Foundations for Tomorrow.

Who We Serve

  • Foster and kinship youth experiencing social, emotional, or academic challenges

  • Impacted by family disruption, placement instability, or community violence

  • At risk of disengagement from school or pro-social systems

  • Priority is given to youth demonstrating elevated risk indicators or limited access to structured developmental support.

Program Structure

Frequency: One session per week
Duration: One academic semesters

Model: Cohort-based (consistent group for relational stability and growth)

 

Each session is intentionally designed to include:

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  • Relational Engagement 
    One-on-one and small group mentoring within a consistent cohort

  • Social & Emotional Development
    Building skills in self-regulation, communication, empathy, and decision-making

  • Identity & Leadership Formation
    Helping participants understand who they are and who they are becoming

  • Guided Reflection Practices
    Structured opportunities to process experiences, including elements of living grief and personal growth

  • Creative Expression & Collaboration
    Activities that allow participants to explore their voice through art, discussion, and shared projects

  • Future Readiness Exposure
    Introducing pathways related to education, career, and life skills

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Participants move through a progressive developmental arc, beginning with emotional safety and expression, advancing toward identity formation, and culminating in confidence, direction, and future readiness.

Semester One:

Identity & Skill Foundation

Focus areas include:

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  • Establishing Emotional Safety & Consistent Relationships
    Creating a stable environment through trusted mentor and peer connections

  • Strengthening Self-Awareness & Emotional Regulation
    Equipping participants to recognize, process, and manage their emotions

  • Developing Communication & Conflict Resolution Skills
    Building the ability to express needs, navigate challenges, and repair relationships

  • Building Academic Engagement & Goal Clarity
    Supporting re-engagement in school and developing a sense of direction

  • Increasing Sense of Belonging & Positive Peer Interaction
    Fostering connection, identity, and healthy community

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Outcomes Emphasized:

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  • Increased Social-Emotional Competency

  • Improved School Engagement Indicators (attendance, behavior, participation)

  • Strengthened Protective Relationships (trusted adults and positive peer networks)

Semester Two: Leadership & Future Formation

Focus Areas:

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  • Personal Responsibility & Goal Setting
    Developing ownership over decisions, behaviors, and future direction

  • Applied Leadership Development
    Practicing leadership through real-time decision-making, influence, and accountability

  • Workforce Readiness & Career Exposure
    Introducing career pathways, professional skills, and future opportunities

  • Community Storytelling & Civic Awareness
    Helping participants understand their voice, their story, and their role in the community

  • Collaborative Project Execution
    Working in teams to plan and complete projects that reflect growth, responsibility, and impact

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Outcomes Emphasized:

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  • Increased Self-Efficacy (confidence in ability to succeed and make decisions)

  • Clearer Academic and/or Career Pathway Planning

  • Demonstrated Leadership Behaviors (initiative, accountability, collaboration)

  • Strengthened Community Engagement & Sense of Contribution

Graduation & Transition

Upon completion of a semester, youth participate in a Leadership Recognition Ceremony and receive a Development Portfolio documenting:

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  • Growth in social-emotional competencies

  • Goal progression

  • Leadership contributions

  • Future pathway planning

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Graduates may transition into:

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  • Advanced leadership tracks

  • Peer mentoring roles

  • Continued alumni engagement opportunities

Interested in the program?

If you’ve explored our Mentorship Program and feel ready to invest in growth, confidence, and identity development, we’re excited to walk alongside you. This intake form helps us better understand each student’s strengths, goals, and areas where support may be helpful so we can place them in the right environment for growth.

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When you’re ready, click the button below to submit your intake form, and a member of our team will follow up with next steps.

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