Route 21: Young adults from Foster Care being paid to mentor youth in Foster Care 

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Mission: Find young adults who grew up in foster care to be paid and supported to mentor youth who are growing out of foster care.

Vision: Lived experience experts mentoring the next generation of youth impacted by foster care through intentional connection and community building.

Our Unique and Effective Mentoring Model

The Route 21 mentoring model has been refined over a period of 10 years while serving the most vulnerable and underserved youth.
It has proven outcomes to show its effectiveness.

"Pit Crew"

A team that helps refresh, equip and care for the Mentor.

Mentor

Young adults who also grew up in care are paid to be a mentor to youth currently in care.

Youth

High school aged youth who were or are in care are mentored by someone who grew up in care themselves.

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1,000 YEARS

Route 21 has accumulated 1,000+ years of experience into our mentoring model and curriculum so that it is tailored to the needs of youth in care. The advice has come from youth in care, those that grew up in care, foster care parents and those who work in the field. If someone was 35 years old and spent 4 years in foster care we counted 4 years toward our total, not 35 years. That means we have met with A LOT of people we are well informed to help our mentors and youth. 

We stopped counting at 1,000!
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TBRI Practitioners

Rebecca Newell, Route 21 HR Director, is trained as a Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) practitioner. TBRI is a trauma-informed, whole-youth approach to caring for vulnerable children and youth. Grounded in attachment theory and developmental neuroscience, TBRI helps Route 21 mentors to see the needs and meet the needs of their mentees. The TBRI caregiving model is based on three sets of interacting principles: Connecting, Empowering, and Correcting. Consistent with the three pillars of trauma-informed care, the three sets of principles focus on building trust and felt-safety in the context of healthy relationships (Connecting), developing self-regulation skills (Empowering), and fostering behavioral and social competence (Correcting). Rebecca trains all of Route 21 staff in TBRI practices to help mentors process their own histories and help them be great mentors for youth that experience some of the greatest trauma youth can see. 

Social

* See our statistics page for references.

“Route 21 understands what youth aging out of foster care need - family and community. Their proposed long term mentoring program will provide a stable and consistent community of mentors and peers who can relate to each other and build relationships. I fully endorse Route 21.”
Fernando ClaraDirector of Practice Innovation at The Mockingbird Society.
"As a child welfare professional with 18 years of first-hand experience in the foster care system, I believe Route 21’s proposed mentoring model is the right step to successfully equip young adults with the necessary tools while transitioning from foster care into adulthood. Route 21’s model presents an opportunity for young adults and their peer mentors to establish relational permanency: long, lasting, and loving relationships."
Joshua Oswald
Joshua OswaldDirector of Strategic Partnerships, ALL IN Fostering Futures.
“As someone who experienced foster care for half of my childhood, I am truly impressed by the Route 21 mentoring model. This model will meet the needs of foster youth by addressing the need for mentorship and guidance, providing a critical sense of community, teaching life skills, and allowing for fun and connection. As a former foster youth, I can assure you that this combination of support will lead to success for a population that is often forgotten.”
Trent TaylorCEO of Watch Me Rise, LLC
“For youth able to persevere through trauma and adversity, it’s often because of the game-changing power of relationship and the presence of one, caring adult in their lives. Route 21's model of providing consistent community and a stable one-on-one relationship from a mentor who has also been impacted by foster care points those aging out towards health, a fulfilling life and internalizing their invaluable worth.“
Jillana GobleFounder & Consultant with Every Child Oregon, Foster parent
“From the perspective of my faith, the model of Jesus was to show up in the flesh. This is the good news, and this is where the heavy lifting, sacrificial, work is always being done. Not only does Route 21 understand this critical ingredient for transformation, they are applying this relational wisdom to those in high relational need who are also going through a high transition season. Their leadership is proven, they will bring good news, hope, skills, and stability to all in their path!”
Chris GoughBoard member for Foster Support Faith Alliance
“Studies show that youth who have endured trauma heal best through social connection. Route 21’s proposed mentoring model will provide consistent and meaningful relationship with society’s most vulnerable population - teens aging out of the foster care system. I fully endorse this program. It just makes sense!”
Sarah DesjarlaisFounder and Executive Director of Fosterful, former foster parent
“Mentorship matters! It would be wonderful if all youth could have access to 7 years of mentoring. And having a mentor who shares similar life experiences with you, but have overcome the challenges, makes it relatable. This has the potential to impact the lives of so many youth impacted by foster care, and that’s why I support Route 21!”
Cedric DavisKinship Parent and Senior Philanthropic Advisor for Seattle Foundation
Route 21’s concept is a long-overdue missing resource for the foster care community. By providing critical opportunities for healthy holistic development Route 21 will serve both mentees and mentors in the foster care community. Sadly there are far too many young people in foster care in need of mentors and a dearth of mentors available, let alone those who can speak from personal experience. The best time to launch Route 21 was years ago, the next best time is now.
Nathan HawkinsCurrent Foster Parent
Route 21 had a massive impact on my life this year.
Route 21 Mentor