BEST Kids Mentoring Program Inc

BEST Kids, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides mentoring to foster care children and other at-risk youth. One of the most vital single protective factors a child can have is a close relationship with a caring adult who serves as a mentor and role model. Despite this, long-term, consistent, one-on-one mentoring is almost non-existent for foster care children. We were the first pilot program in the District of Columbia to provide volunteer mentors dedicated to mentoring children in foster care.

BEST Kids started with mentoring 10 youth in 2005 and has grown to mentor over 150 youth each year with the help of many donors, partners, supporters, and volunteers. 

BEST Kids is guided by the belief that all children are talented. Through one-on-one volunteer mentoring, extensive training, staff support, experiential learning-based Peer Groups, college and career readiness programs, and life skills programs, we encourage our youth to discover and develop their unique skills and abilities.

Beginning with children as young as six and continuing, as needed, until adulthood, BEST Kids works to enable youth to develop a positive sense of self, acquire teamwork and group social skills, and become productive members of society.

BEST Kids connects with youth in foster care to build healthy and successful futures through long-lasting mentoring relationships.

We aim to ensure that every young person in foster care is meaningfully connected to positive adults, and feels confident and valued. We guide our youth in developing the skills needed to achieve success as adults, while also addressing systemic challenges that perpetuate the need for foster care in our community.