Volunteering...

How it Works

1. Quick Steps to Become a Kinship Partner
   Here are the quick and easy steps we'll walk you through:
   
   Inquire: Find out more about becoming a mentor by calling our office toll free at 877-730-5437 or email us at info@kinshippartners.org

2.  Apply: All prospective mentors are required to complete and sign a Kinship Partners mentor application. Click here for the Application. This application can be printed, completed and then mailed to our office.

3. References: You'll need to provide three references of people we can talk to about your ability to be a mentor.

4. Background check: Child safety is our top priority, so we'll review your records to ensure you'll be a good fit for our program. Please include this form when mailing your application. Click here for the background check form.  Everyone living in the household full-time over the age of 18 must complete this form and have it notarized.

5. Interview. The interview is an opportunity for our staff to get to know the prospective mentor better, which assists them in the matching process. Making the right match is important to our commitment to form lasting relationships. It is also an opportunity for the candidate to ask questions and discuss the type of child they would like to mentor.

6. Matching: Once all the procedures are complete and the candidate has been accepted as a mentor through Kinship Partners, our staff will contact you with information about children to consider mentoring. If the mentor is interested in being placed with one of those children, the parent/guardian of the child is contacted. The parent/guardian has final approval of all prospective mentors. The initial introduction can take place in the child's home or at the Kinship Partners office, with the mentor, child, parent/guardian and Kinship Partners program coordinator all present for the first meeting.

7. We’ll support you: After the match is made, staff will have ongoing contact with the child and parent/guardian as well as the volunteer mentor. All parties are encouraged to call their Kinship Partners program coordinator if any concerns arise during the course of the relationship. We also provide ongoing training opportunities for the volunteer mentor.