Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County have received a oneyear grant to set up a countywide mentoring program for 20 female foster youth ages 15 to 18. The grant, for $10,000, was provided by the United Women's Leadership Council, a humanitarian volunteer group associated with United Way of Ventura County.

"I'm thrilled they picked us," said Lynne West, executive director for Big Brothers Big Sisters. "I think that we provide a very valuable service that no one else in the county does."

The leadership council formed in 2006 to focus on projects that improve the lives of women. As its first assignment, the 70-member group, aware that many young women who leave foster care become pregnant, homeless, involved in gangs or addicted to drugs, has focused on filling the gaps in social services for female foster teens about to leave the system.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated a mentoring program for foster boys and girls ages 5 to 18 since 1999. The new program will focus specifically on foster girls ages 15 to 18, and in some cases to age 21.

The youth organization has foster girls in Simi Valley, Camarillo and other parts of the county on a waiting list to be matched to a mentor, West said. A potential mentor must complete an interview and a three-hour training session before being matched.

Mentors—who must be 21 or older, have a clean driving record and provide three references—will be expected to spend time regularly with the youth, possibly two to three hours each week, providing a listening and supportive ear, said Kelly Dooley, mentoring program coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters. The goal is to provide the girls with life skills, such as shopping for groceries and setting and living within a budget. Mentors should not have religious expectations for the child, Dooley said.

Earlier this year, the United Women's Leadership Council surveyed current and former foster girls and found mentors and housing were their two most critical needs. The council next wants to find ways to reduce the wait for subsidized housing. Some agencies have a three-year waiting list.

For more information, call Amy Fonzo of United Way at (805) 485-6288, ext. 230, or Kelly Dooley of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County at (805) 484-2282, ext. 19.