Real Connections
Finding Your People
(401) 270-1235 | michelle.morel@fosterforward.net
Find Your Real Connection
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Find Your Real Connection 〰️
Looking for extra support, someone to talk to, or help reaching your goals?
Real Connections helps young people impacted by foster care connect with a trusted adult mentor who can offer support, encouragement, and guidance. Your mentor can be someone you already know, someone you used to know and want to reconnect with, or a new community mentor trained and screened by Foster Forward. Whether you want support with school, work, trying new things, exploring opportunities, building confidence, or just having someone steady in your corner, Real Connections is here to help.
What is Real Connections?
Real Connections is a mentoring program for youth and young adults impacted by foster care. The program connects you with an adult supporter or mentor who can be a positive, consistent presence in your life.
Mentors are there to listen, encourage you, help you think through goals, and show up for you over time. They are not there to tell you what to do or make decisions for you. You get to share what you want from the relationship, and our team helps support the match along the way.
Who Can Join?
You may be able to participate in Real Connections if you are between the ages of 12 and 21, have been impacted by foster care, and are looking for a positive adult connection.
Real Connections can support young people at different stages, including those who are still in foster care, preparing to age out, or who have already aged out of DCYF care and want to build a long-term connection with a trusted adult mentor.
When you join Real Connections, you’ll work with the Real Connections Manager to talk about what kind of support you’re looking for and what you want from a mentoring relationship. This could include support with school, finding a job, trying new activities, exploring future goals, or having someone reliable to talk to.
From there, you can be matched with either:
An identified support: an adult you already know or have known in the past, like a teacher, coach, former foster parent, family friend, neighbor, or staff member.
A community mentor: a new mentor who has been trained and screened by Real Connections and shares similar interests with you.
Once you are matched, you and your mentor will meet regularly for at least 1 year. The Real Connections Manager will also remain involved to support you and address any issues that may arise during your match.
How Does it Work?
You get a say in the process
Real Connections is built around what feels right for you. You’ll have a chance to talk with our team about your interests, goals, comfort level, and what kind of mentor you are looking for.
When a potential mentor is identified, you’ll learn more about them and decide if you want to move forward. A Real Connections staff member will help introduce you and will continue to support the relationship as you get to know each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A mentor can support you in ways that feel helpful to you. That might include:
Talking through goals or decisions
Exploring jobs, school, or future plans
Trying new things in the community
Building confidence and independence
Practicing life skills
Celebrating your wins
Having someone consistent to check in with
Most importantly, your mentor is someone who can be in your corner.
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It can take several weeks to find a mentor who feels like a good fit based on your interests, goals, and what you’re looking for in a connection. When we identify a potential mentor, we’ll tell you more about them, and you’ll get to decide if you’d like to move forward and meet them.
A Real Connections staff member will be there to introduce you to your mentor before your first visit together. We’ll also stay connected and support you as you get to know each other.
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That’s okay. Real Connections can also help you think about adults who are already in your life, or adults you may have lost touch with, who could become a stronger support for you.
A mentor could be a neighbor, former foster parent, former staff member, teacher, coach, family friend, or another trusted adult. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Our team can help you explore what feels right for you.
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No car? No problem. Real Connections mentors are required to have a car and active car insurance, so they can help with transportation when you meet up in the community.
We’ll work with you and your mentor to make sure visits feel safe, comfortable, and easy to plan.
“Finding my mentor and knowing there was another adult in my life who could be just as crazy and into the same things I am, really put a good spin and perspective on things for me.”
“They take me on a lot of adventures like going to Plymouth, staying in a hotel, and going to my first wedding. My favorite memory is the wedding because I got to experience that. I danced a lot.”
Ready to Get Started?
You don’t need to have everything figured out.
You just need to be ready to take the next step.