SCFFAA Parent joins "The View"

Alec Mapa, a foster/adoptive parent with SCFFAA, was a guest on "The View" on Friday, July 23rd on ABC Television.  July 23rd's episode with Mr. Mapa can be viewed online. 

 

Southern CA Foster Family & Adoption Agency

Youth In Transition Co Mentoring Program

 Working together with The Ojai Foundation and Kehillat Israel, (KI) Lianne Goldsmith, Youth In Transition Youth Coordinator at SCFFAA, created the Co-Mentoring Program.   The program was developed to serve young adults transitioning out of the foster care system and a community of service-minded congregants seeking a more meaningful engagement in building community.

 

A series of workshops, attended by the youth and adult facilitators in addition to a retreat conducted at the Ojai Foundation, explored the sense of “home,” “family,” and “what it is to be truly heard”.  The participants learned about non-judgmental acceptance of who people are and how they express themselves- how to be aware of our responses, attachments, judgments and reactions. 

 

The program is different from other mentoring programs. Rather than pairing mentors and mentees, the program offers participants an opportunity to learn from all others.  A “family” developed, with plans made for a variety of activities.  Groups of varying sizes attended movies, concerts, art exhibitions, lectures and dined, biked, bowled, trick or treated and volunteered.

 

The initial co-mentoring journey has been dynamic, rich, exciting, challenging and inspiring.  As the initial nine month program reaches its conclusion, the pilot group of youth and KI congregants, led by Rosanne Ziering, continues to be very committed to continuing and deepening its bonds.  A new group of youth is currently being assembled by Lianne, with plans to create a second Co Mentoring Program.

 

“I perceive of my role to the youth more as of a friend and peer and not as a parent/problem solver/savior.  Often these youth just want a sounding board and friend.  I try to come alongside them and their issues in a non-judgmental way and just be a person in their life with whom they can relax and share different life experiences.  I feel the program exposes them to a different life and a more positive family/life/adult/sibling role model-an exposure that is enriching, nurturing and fun for all of us.” –Youth In Transition Co Mentor

 

For more information about the Youth In Transition Co Mentoring Program, please contact Lianne Goldsmith at 213-365-2900.

 

Southern California Foster Family and Adoption Agency, a private, non-profit corporation, was started in 1994 in response to some of the horrific problems in foster care. With 75,000 children under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services at that time, we felt that we could make a difference, one child at a time.

The agency is dedicated to helping abused and neglected children find secure, stable, nurturing homes to live in, until such time as they are reunited with their birth families, are adopted or become independent adults.

This site will provide you with answers to your initial questions about becoming a foster or adoptive parent. You can view our parent support programs, required training and take a self-test to find out if you are eligible to be a foster or fost/adopt parent and what you can do to make sure that you are.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at (213) 365 - 2900, if you have more questions or if you would like to visit our agency and discuss this rewarding experience further.

Foster Care License Number 191500291
Adoption License Number 197802689