E-MENTORING
E-MENTORING
About e-Mentoring

Silver Lining Mentoring’s new e-Mentoring program uses a virtual platform for mentors and mentees to connect by video and text. Using an app, the mentor and mentee will have all the tools they need to build a strong relationship, work on goals, and grow social networks easily from their phones or devices. Through regular virtual check-ins, mentors will help mentees build essential skills, find helpful resources, and feel more connected—all while forming a supportive, lasting relationship over at least 12 months.

With e-Mentoring, Silver Lining Mentoring brings decades of expertise to serve young people transitioning out of foster care. As digital natives, Gen Z is comfortable connecting online, and leading research supports the value of e-mentoring, especially for youth in vulnerable situations. This program envisions a future where youth in foster care can choose either in-person or e-mentoring based on their preference, ensuring that each young person has a stable, trusted adult in their life.

SLM Rocket
Launching in 2025

We are actively seeking partners to refer young adult participants or groups of volunteer mentors to help grow the program’s impact and reach.

What Makes e-Mentoring Unique
Mentor working at a computer

Our Mentor Commitment

Mentors dedicate about 4 hours a month for at least one year to support their mentee’s life goals. All mentors complete a screening process, 8 hours of training, and stay connected with Silver Lining Mentoring staff.

Mentor looks for direction

Our Mentees

The e-Mentoring program is specifically designed to support young adults aged 18-26 who have recently left foster care or are voluntarily in extended care. They seek support from a mentor to build life skills and work toward personal goals.

Connect Anytime, Anywhere

Mentors and mentees use a secure, mobile-friendly app to chat or meet by video on a schedule that works for them.

Being Goal Focused

Mentors help mentees achieve important goals, like finding a job, securing housing, or continuing education.

Our Ongoing Support

Mentors receive expert training and regular check-ins from SLM staff to guide their mentoring journey.

Access to Extra Resources

Mentees and mentors can join group webinars and use other tools to support personal growth and goal-setting.

Become an SLM e-Mentoring Partner

Partnering to Refer Young People

Do you work with young people aged 18+ impacted by foster care? If you’d like to connect them with trained, caring mentors, Silver Lining Mentoring would love to explore a partnership with you.

Partnering to Refer Volunteer Mentors

Is your company or group looking for ways to engage adults in volunteering to support young adults aging out of foster care? If so, Silver Lining Mentoring offers a structured, convenient volunteer experience, with a one-year commitment of 4 hours per month.
FAQs

Not typically: Matches meet in the virtual mentoring platform. There may be regional events for matches to participate in in-person.

Collaborative matching: Mentees and mentors create profiles highlighting themselves and their interests for matching. Silver Lining Mentoring e-Mentoring staff propose a few potential matches for mentees who make the final selection. Matches meet for an initial meeting and relationships are officially launched.

Mentors and mentees are encouraged to spend at least 4 hours monthly via video or chat with time allocated to both strengthening match relationships and working towards identified goals.

Mentors and mentees connect within the e-Mentoring platform. Matches all have access to applicable resources and are invited to participate in topic-specific group learning and sharing opportunities hosted by Silver Lining Mentoring e-Mentoring staff.

Chatting, sharing audio, and meeting via video are all available options through Silver Lining Mentoring’s e-mentoring platform.

Silver Lining Mentoring’s e-Mentoring staff review content shared in the platform by mentors and mentees about how they are doing and support they may need weekly. They can expect monthly check-ins about progress towards goals. Mentors and mentees can also expect quarterly check-ins about their relationship.

Mentees residing in MA who have a guardian are welcome to sign up. We are not able to enroll mentees with a guardian residing outside of MA at this time.