Joanne Feldmeth, Executive Director, Royal Friends’ Clubs

Foster Parent Agency Adoption

America’s orphans

More Kids – Fewer Home Since 1980… Number of foster children tripled Age of children entering foster care dropped from 12 to 6 years Many more infants in the system Number of foster parents dropped by at least 30%

Revolving Door of Foster Care Most infants in foster care: Move every months Have 3 homes by age 4 Most infants in foster care: Move every months Have 3 homes by age 4

Foster Care Outcomes 46% don’t finish high school 45% of kids leaving foster care homeless within the year 4 years after ‘emancipation’ –40% had been on public assistance or in jail –60% of the young women had given birth

Solution? Judges Attorneys Social Workers Law Enforcement Officers Medical Professionals Teachers and Administrators Mental Health Professionals More Professional Services?

“I Need A Mom” (Timmy, age 10) Foster care = Child’s personal relationships failed Kids need families and friends to heal

Royal Family Kids’ Camps America’s leading camp for abused children 46,394 children served 155 host churches 36 states

Royal Family Kids’ Camps 6,000+children last summer 6,000+ volunteers Camp Counselor/child ratio is 1:2 Intensive 5 Day Group Mentoring model 6,000+children last summer 6,000+ volunteers Camp Counselor/child ratio is 1:2 Intensive 5 Day Group Mentoring model

Can we do more? Norman, Oklahoma

Why Mentoring? Foster Children Outcomes for at-risk kids 1 Year of Mentoring =IMPROVEMENT academic performance social relationships family relationships self esteem up /depression down

2 Year Pilot – 200 Kids 6-12 Churches “Camp to Camp”– Unique Mentoring Model GOAL: How to live and minister in year round relationship with abused kids 2 Year Pilot – 200 Kids 6-12 Churches “Camp to Camp”– Unique Mentoring Model GOAL: How to live and minister in year round relationship with abused kids

THE KIDS ROYAL FRIENDS CLUBS kids… Child attended RFKC In Summer 2008 Is eligible to attend RFKC Summer 2009 Minimum 12 kids matched

Who Can Mentor? Camp experienced OR camp trained Security clearance 1 Day Introduction to Mentoring training Commitment = 4+ hours per month Camp experienced OR camp trained Security clearance 1 Day Introduction to Mentoring training Commitment = 4+ hours per month

Mentoring Club School Year 9 Club Meetings + individualized time(“Team Up” Plan) Curriculum +Materials School Year 9 Club Meetings + individualized time(“Team Up” Plan) Curriculum +Materials

Mentoring the Mentors 1.1 Day Mentoring Intro Workshop 2.Mentor “Cohorts” with monthly roundtable 3.Mentor Mid Year Mini Workshop 4.How Are We Doing? Evaluation—designed by mentors 1.1 Day Mentoring Intro Workshop 2.Mentor “Cohorts” with monthly roundtable 3.Mentor Mid Year Mini Workshop 4.How Are We Doing? Evaluation—designed by mentors

Launching Royal Friends Churches—Experience with RFKC (hosted 3 or more camps ) Leadership: 1 Mentoring Director 1 Club Coordinator Leadership Requirements--Training -CLUB: 12 mentors +volunteers Churches—Experience with RFKC (hosted 3 or more camps ) Leadership: 1 Mentoring Director 1 Club Coordinator Leadership Requirements--Training -CLUB: 12 mentors +volunteers

Mentoring Leadership Retreat May 17-18, 2008 Santa Ana, CA Mentoring Directors and Club Coordinators Training Retreat: How to Launch A Royal Friends Club mentoring program At your church! May 17-18, 2008 Santa Ana, CA Mentoring Directors and Club Coordinators Training Retreat: How to Launch A Royal Friends Club mentoring program At your church!

Mentoring Directors+Club Coordinators Church pays: 2 R/T Tickets 1 st Year Pilot- Royal Friends Clubs will sponsor your: - Hotel lodging -Meals - Training + materials Mentoring Directors+Club Coordinators Church pays: 2 R/T Tickets 1 st Year Pilot- Royal Friends Clubs will sponsor your: - Hotel lodging -Meals - Training + materials Mentoring Leadership Retreat