In March, Silver Lining Mentoring was proud to present at two national conferences, sharing insights on the power of mentorship for LGBTQ+ youth in foster care.

At the 2025 True Colors SOGIEcon, the nation’s largest LGBTQIA+ youth conference, hosted by The Health Collective, our workshop addressed the challenges and strengths of LGBTQ+ youth in care, elevated voices of lived experience, and explored mentorship as a tool for authentic connection and identity development. We were honored to share space with other conference attendees committed to building affirming systems of care for young people!

At the 2025 Association of Children’s Residential & Community Services conference, we co-presented with Family Builders by Adoption and The Home for Little Wanderers on the topic of collaborative, youth-centered strategies to support LGBTQ+ youth in foster and residential care. Additionally, our exhibit table provided the opportunity to connect with partners, spark meaningful conversations, and share more about our mission with attendees from across the country.

We’re honored to have contributed to these critical conversations and advocate for mentorship as a right, not a privilege.

Interested in learning more about mentoring a young person in foster care? Check out the Become a Mentor page and explore options for attending an upcoming volunteer info session.