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Birthparent Services

Birthparent Services

Birthmom-to-Birthmom Mentor Program

 

 

On Your Feet Foundation's Birthmom-to-Birthmom Mentor Program exists to provide peer-to-peer support to birthmothers by birthmothers in the On Your Feet community. In doing so, we will help birthmothers become more comfortable talking about their feelings around their adoption by creating a safe and empathetic space, enable birthmothers to achieve goals within their adoption and become better connected to the On Your Feet community in order to receive ongoing support, fostering a community which shares responsibility in growth and support of its members.

 

 

Birthmom-to-Birthmom Mentor Application

Please answer all questions. The more information you can provide, the better we will be able to pair you with an appropriate mentee. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

By submitting this application, you agree to the terms of the program and commit to being an engaged participant. Our mentorships start March 1st and run through November 15th, however, we recruit our mentors throughout the year.

If you have any questions, please contact the Director of Case Management, Jennifer.

 

First Name *
Last Name *
Country
Address Line 1 *
City *
State/Province *
Postal Code *
Month
/
Day
/
Year
Name(s) and Birthdate(s) of Child(ren) Placed:
Is your adoption:
Did you place in a transracial adoption?
Is there anything you would like us to know about your adoption?
What kind of a support system do you have?
Are you currently or have you ever been in therapy?
Do you attend On Your Feet retreats, BirthmomsConnect calls, or events?
How long have you been involved with On Your Feet? In what capacity?
What are your interests/hobbies?
Do you identify with a religious or spiritual background?
In what ways do you feel that you can be of help other birthmoms?
Do you have any special skills that you would like us to know about?
How do you prefer to connect with your mentee?
Check all that apply
What time zone are you in?
When are you available to meet?

In order to be considered for the program, you must agree to the program expectations:

  • Must be available to chat with mentee during an agreed upon time for a minimum of once a month for 9 months.
  • Listen actively, provide emotional support.
  • Mentor should not be doing majority of the talking or sharing but allows for a balanced dialogue.
  • Be objective. Do not provide unsolicited advice or biased opinions. 
  • Take notes and log each meeting into the tracker. Prepare Check-In Statement to share during team meetings.  
  • Participate in 1-2 hour team supervision meeting each month 
  • Participate in 2 hour training prior to matching to go over guidelines and expectations 
  • Utilize the OYFF Birthmom To Birthmom Program FB group for informal support/check-ins with other OYFF Birthmom Mentors
  • Ask for help from On Your Feet staff when needed
  • Alert case management if a mentee is in danger or if there is a safety concern
  • Will not give money to mentees or gifts valued at more than $15. Mentors can tell mentees that they are not allowed by OYFF to give mentees money if they’re asked.
  • Will not attempt to convert the mentee to their religion or religious beliefs
  • Will communicate to OYFF if their availability to serve as a mentor changes 
  • Will be cognizant of stigmas and microaggressions and not perpetuate them
  • Be capable of respecting boundaries and setting limits.
  • Respect confidentiality
  • Bring any issues or concerns should to the attention of our Director of Case Management, Jennifer at jennifer@onyourfeetmidwest.org
Do you agree to the expectations of the program?
Thank you for recognizing the importance of post-placement support: