NEWS
How One DM Turned into a Delicious Day of Connection
They say the best things happen when you least expect them. For us at Silver Lining Mentoring, that moment came in the form of a simple Instagram DM. "My name is Evan Martin, and I grew up in the foster care system here in Massachusetts…" When Chef Evan Martin (aka @TheFlavors) r... Read More >
The 2026 National Mentoring Summit: Speaking Out, Strengthening the Movement
MENTOR’s 2026 National Mentoring Summit in Washington, D.C. brought together young people, mentors, practitioners, and advocates from across the country who were united by a shared belief that meaningful mentoring relationships change lives. Over three days of learning, connectio... Read More >
“Who’s In Your Corner?”: Finding Voice and Community Through Hip-Hop Therapy
What does support sound like? Sometimes it sounds like advice. Sometimes it sounds like laughter. And sometimes, as we discovered recently, it sounds like a beat dropping in a room full of people finding their flow. On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, our CLIMB program partnered wit... Read More >
A Movement of Kindness: Holiday Gift Drive
At Silver Lining Mentoring, we believe in the power of showing up. And sometimes, the most profound acts of presence come from those who know what it feels like to be left behind. Liz Barker, a SLM staff member and foster care alum, has spent the last 5 years leading an annual H... Read More >
A Night to Say Thank You to our Mentors
What happens when we get a group of Silver Lining mentors together in one place? We have a celebration to remember, filled with amazing energy, new connections, and inspiring stories. On October 15, we held our annual Mentor Appreciation Night to thank all our community of dedica... Read More >
Mentor Spotlight: Interview With New Mentor Lauren
Are you wondering what mentor training is like? Perhaps you’re curious about what motivates people to join the SLM community as a volunteer mentor to a youth in foster care. We recently sat down with newly-approved and trained mentor Lauren to learn why she wanted to become a volu... Read More >
Highlights from Community Day!
On July 26th, Silver Lining mentees, mentors, and staff gathered at Skyline Park in Brookline for an afternoon of connection and fun & games for our annual Community Day—a chance for matches to chill out, play games, and learn about and connect with each other. Silver Lining m... Read More >
Silver Lining Mentees Play “The Game of Life”
SLM staff Sally Sanchez-Peña discusses banking and retirement savings with mentee Onyx (right) and their mentor, Mak. On July 14th, 28 mentees & mentors gathered in the SLM office to play SLM's "Game of Life." This event was part of our CLIMB (Community, Learning, Interdepen... Read More >
SLM In the News: Reimagining the “Aging-Out” Mindset
We’re excited to share a piece featured in Youth Today co-authored by Institute Program Coordinator Liz Barker (far right) & Assistant Director of Education and Training Leah Harrigan (right). “Reimagining the ‘aging-out’ mindset: Building networks of care, not just building i... Read More >
Match Gala 2025 raises $625,000!
On May 15, 2025, the SLM community came together at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts in Boston to celebrate youth in foster care and the power of mentoring. Together, we raised $625,000 to ensure that youth in foster care have access to a caring, committed adult rel... Read More >
Highlights from the Silver Lining Institute’s Busy Spring
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 w... Read More >
Matches Forge Bonds and More at The Foundry
On April 6th, 20 mentees and mentors, along with four SLM staff, gathered at The Foundry, a makerspace in Cambridge, for an afternoon of connection, learning, and fun. This event was part of our CLIMB (Community, Learning, Interdependence, Mentoring, and Belonging) program for tr... Read More >
Silver Lining is a Social Innovator!
