ball to commemorate the special
event. Kris says he was shocked
to later walk into the room of his
mentee and see the ball proudly
displayed. He chokes up when re-
calling this moment as well as the
phone call he received from his
mentee on Father's Day.
social welfare agencies in prepara-
tion for matching mentors with
teens. Agency director Florence
Rhue told the waiting mentors at a
recent meeting, "It's only a matter
of time until the success of the
mentoring relationships catches
the attention of the local child wel-
fare agencies." It would appear she
is right. By the end of 2011 refer-
rals began to spike and the number
of teens enrolled in the program
has steadily grown. The program's
success can be contributed to its vi-
sion and to a volunteer staff that
sees the need to impact the lives of
teens. It is also one example of how
bringing together caring adults
with teens in need can impact
social welfare with little cost.
widows in their distress" (NIV).
"Teen Spirit" does this through
nurturing relationships, which Su-
san Guntz believes will result in
life change��something the foster
care system is unable to provide.
Her belief in the power of personal
relationships is an outgrowth not
only of her experience, but also her
faith. Her dream may well give
many at�risk teens hope and a
new chance at life.
Teen Spirit mentoring program
is undeniable. A 2009 study con-
ducted by the California Mentor-
ing Foundation (CMF) documents
the following:
economically efficient, reducing
the reliance of teens and young
adults on costly social welfare
and drug rehabilitation programs.
In contrast to the tens of thou-
sands of dollars per year that for-
mal programs cost, the cost of a
pairing a teen with a mentor is
just $400.
relationships with teenagers,
these youth will gain a perma-
nent role model to walk with
them as they age out of foster
care and into adulthood. In addi-
tion to a host of personal benefits
these relationships will encour-
age teens to further their educa-
tion and hopefully avoid long�
term dependence on the social
welfare system.
potential mentees she says that
she stresses "safety and security"
to them, letting them know that
the mentors have been vetted,
trained, and are safe. What seems
most shocking to potential
mentees is that their mentors are
not paid. Teens in facilities are
used to a roster of professionals
including social workers, thera-
pists, and house staff working
with them as part of their job, and
for compensation. "The idea that
an adult who knows nothing about
them, yet wants to spend time
with them without payment is
new to them," Susan says.
tive. A local county children's serv-
ices agency can make a referral by
calling the offices of The Salvation
Army Children's Services. Infor-
mation on the teen is received and
a staff member visits the teen to
explain the program and gain
their consent. Mentors are paired
with same gendered individuals
and are encouraged to participate,
if feasible, in some community ac-
tivities that the teen enjoys. Men-
tors commit to meeting with a
teen once a week for one year.
2011. Kris' mentee is an 18 year
old male living in a residential
home, and their relationship has
borne significant fruit. Kris and
the young man began their time
together with phone calls and vis-
its in the facility. As the mentee
earned greater privileges visits
were moved into the community
and have included home run derby
competitions, basketball games
and eating meals out. At the home
run derby competition the young
man hit a ball over the fence and