Real Connections
The goal of the Real Connections program is "to ensure that all youth leave state care with positive, permanent adult connections and options for a successful future." Real Connections, in coordination with the Chafee Life Skills Center, focuses on working with teens, ages 14-24, who are vulnerable to "aging out" of state care without positive, consistent adults to rely on. We believe that relationships with caring adults are central to a young person's ability to transition successfully into adulthood.
The program identifies adult supports for youth in care in two key ways.
Tapping a Youth's Existing Network: Real Connections staff support youth and their care providers in identifying adults from their existing network that have the potential to become positive, life long supports. A mentoring model is then used to strengthen those relationships. The program searches beyond immediate family members to identify extended family and "fictive kin," which could include coaches, teachers, neighbors and the other valuable community resources that are too often overlooked.
Engaging Community Mentors: In addition to identifying adults within the youth's own network, the program also seeks to recruit community mentors to fill in the gaps when the youth's existing network is not able to meet all of their needs.
If you are interested in becoming a Real Connection for a youth in care, download the Mentor Brochure (pdf) for more information or contact us directly at 401-438-3900.
Real Connections is partnership between Rhode Island Foster Parents Association, the Rhode Island Council of Resource Providers, the Department of Children, Youth and Families, Communities for People, the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, and Adoption Rhode Island.
