Mentor Rock Foundation, Inc. is a faith based organization that offers a residential and out reached services, where youth from age 5 to 17 can seek refuge. This will be a short-term residential service for youth that run away, are homeless, or are displaced. We will provide counseling for suicide, rape, drug use and prevention, abuse, sexuality, pregnancy and life issue in general.
From the moment the youth enters the program; professional counselors will begin to implement a treatment program geared toward the special needs of that youth. Our counselors will meet regularly with the youth individually and group sessions throughout the youth’s stay at the home. The counselors work in partnership with house parents and teachers to ensure the plan established for each youth is consistently followed.
In addition, while in the residential facility, we will work with these kids on the same type of skills as the afterschool program. This will include anger management, life skills, coping skills, money management, GED preparation, etc. Life skills may include hygiene, coping skills, completing college applications, resume development, being responsible individuals, and any other skills that will help them succeed in life. The organization will not charge fees to the youth for their stay in the program.
The facility will be structured as single family homes with house parents living in each home. For each home, we will have 10 to 12 youth per home that are of a similar age. The homes will be between six to eight bedroom homes in order to accommodate all the youths and the house parents. To enter our facility, youth can have no more than mild to moderate emotional and/or behavioral problems, and be alcohol and substance abuse free at the time of entry. Meals will be cooked in the homes to facilitate a family-type environment. The house parents and the youth in the home will participate in family activities such as regular worship services, weekend recreational activities.
Mentor Rock Foundation, Inc. will collaborate with the social services department for placement of youth in our program. In addition, the organization will collaborate with local schools for referrals. Typical lengths of stay for the youth will be six months to one year, after one year the youth will be transferred either to foster care, long-term group homes, or possibly the court system.