Catalyst for Care

Program Overview:

LINC is a voluntary career-based mentoring program for young adults (aged 18-25) who have been or are still in Georgia’s foster care system. The program was developed by Catalyst for CARE in direct response to the needs of young people aging out of Georgia’s foster care system. The youth participants are typically enrolled in college and are beginning to make career decisions. They are looking for assistance with career exploration, resume writing, interviewing skills, and networking opportunities and the ability to forge relationships that they can carry throughout their college careers and into their transition to independent adulthood

Because our participants have individual needs, we have developed three components of our program to better serve the youth:

Group Mentoring: Our LINC participants are not looking for another mandated relationship in their lives. We simply provide them with ample opportunities to meet and network with a group of professionals and have deeper relationships emerge in a more natural way.

The group mentoring model has worked exceptionally well with civic groups and other professional membership organizations because of the built-in meeting times and types of activities with which the group and its members are already involved. The participation of many members also takes the pressure off any one member to fulfill the traditional “mentor” obligations. Applications are listed at the bottom of this page.

Individual Matches: Some of our youth are looking for a more meaningful one-on-one relationship in a mentoring or coaching capacity. Catalyst for CARE staff will assist the youth in identifying their own personal choices for an individual match (through networking receptions, adults in their workplace or school other caring adult from their community or family). We will provide training for the mentor and coordinate and monitor the initial stages of the more formal mentor relationship. When a caring adult is not readily available to the youth, we will help identify a trained volunteer for the match.

Catalyst for CARE has adopted the Permanency Pact agreement developed by youth involved in Foster Club, a national network for young people in foster care. This agreement supports permanency for youth in foster care by setting boundaries and expectations to encourage relationship building without the risks of disappointment or missed opportunities. Catalyst for CARE staff will act as the initial facilitator between the youth and the supportive adult and will provide guidance and support throughout the relationship. Applications are listed at the bottom of this page.

>> Please click here to view the Permanency Pact.

Networking Receptions: Catalyst for CARE will sponsor periodic networking receptions designed to bring the youth together with young professionals and others interested in getting involved with our program. The goal of these events it to expose our youth to a wide variety of professions, give them the opportunity to hone their networking and personal presentation skills, interact with possible potential employers, and meet other caring adults who can provide guidance in a job search and advice for navigating life’s hurdles. Each reception will focus on a specific topic of interest to both the youth and the professionals i.e., Networking, Effective Business Communication, Dressing for Success, Professional Etiquette, Ethics in the Workplace, etc. The receptions will also offer ample “networking time” for all attendees to mingle and meet new people. It is our vision that these receptions will also foster the “natural selection” process where our youth will develop relationships with the participants.

Our next LINC Networking Reception, featuring Scott Walker, Executive Search Consultant for SpencerStuart, will be held on April 2, 2008 from 6:30pm till 8:00pm at Offices of Bain & Company in the Terminus Building at 3280 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 2400; Atlanta, GA 30305. For directions, please visit www.terminus-atlanta.com/contact.html.

Download the LINC Reception flyer here. Please RSVP by March 28, 2008 at susan@catalystforcare.org or by calling 404-351-1678.

Training: Catalyst for CARE provides an on-line training presentation to prepare potential volunteers to become a LINC. Catalyst for CARE staff is also available to provide training to groups who might wish to become involved.

Our next LINC Mentor Training date is below. Please RSVP with Susan Allison at susan@catalystforcare.org or by calling 404-351-1678.
Monday, April 14 6:00 – 9:00 pm at Junior League HQ Community Room with light dinner served.

Requirements for LINC Volunteers:

Submit volunteer application.

Review training materials and complete questionnaire.

Attend Networking Receptions when available.

If involved in an individual or group match, commit to work with the selected young adult for at least one year.

Once matched with a youth, commit to weekly contact via phone/email and monthly face-to-face meetings.

Provide Catalyst for CARE with quarterly updates on the relationship and activities.