Innovative Pilot Mentoring Program Connects Former Foster Care Youth With Children In Foster Care
NEW YORK, N.Y., September 13, 2005 — The Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), the nation's pre-eminent organization dedicated to serving abused, neglected and other vulnerable children announced today that it was awarded a $199,200 grant from the New York Life Foundation to pilot an innovative mentoring program for foster children. Fostering Healthy Connections will help to create support networks for foster care children and provide them with opportunities to build healthy, stable relationships with individuals who understand their special needs.
"The New York Life Foundation grant creates the first mentoring program exclusively for and by foster children," said Shay Bilchik, CWLA's president & chief executive officer. "The innovative program will allow us to train young adults who have 'aged out' of the foster care system to serve as the children's mentors."
"We are proud to support this unique program," said Sy Sternberg, chairman and chief executive officer of New York Life and chairman of the New York Life Foundation. "Through our partnership with CWLA, foster children, who are so desperate for strong connections in their lives, will benefit from the wisdom and concern of mentors who truly understand their needs."
CWLA has a membership of approximately 900 public and private nonprofit agencies that assist more than 9 million vulnerable children and their families each year with a range of services. The League has been known and respected as a champion for children since 1920. CWLA is committed to engaging people everywhere in promoting the well-being of children, youth and their families, and protecting every child from harm. The primary objective of the CWLA is Making Children a National Priority. For more information about the CWLA, please visit www.cwla.org
The New York Life Foundation (www.newyorklifefoundation.org) is the major vehicle through which New York Life Insurance Company channels contributions to national and local nonprofit organizations. Through its Nurturing the Children initiative, the Foundation supports organizations, programs and services that target young people, particularly in the areas of mentoring, safe places to learn and grow, and educational enhancement opportunities. Through Volunteers for LIFE, its national community involvement initiative, New York Life also encourages volunteer participation by its employees, agents and retirees.
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