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Become a Foster Parent

About Us
Contact Us
Give

Explore Foster Care
Get My Church Involved
Other Ways to Help
Resources
- Training
- Important Forms

Become a Foster Parent

Mentor a Child

“Every child is one caring adult away from being a success story” —Josh Shipp

Inspire and Invest in a Child

We have an “orphan of the living” crisis in our community and across America.

On any given day at Holston Home, we have approximately sixty young people living on our campus in residential care; we have more children in our care living with our licensed foster parents.

Many of these children would benefit from having a mentor in their lives. Are you willing to be a positive role model, a friend, and someone who will inspire and invest in their lives? Sixty minutes a week can change a child’s life.

Children with Mentors are:

More likely to participate in extracurricular activities including volunteering.
More likely to attend college.
And less likely to participate in bullying, fighting or lying.

Proverbs 27:17

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

What Does It Take to Become a Mentor?

Minimum Requirements for Mentors

The minimum age is 21.
Commit to a one-year relationship (unless youth leaves sooner).
Minimum of one-hour a week with youth.
Complete background checks (see below).
Provide proof of automobile insurance, driver’s license and vehicle registration.
Provide three character references, one of which needs to have known the applicant more
than five years.
Mentors are expected to align with the mission and values of Holston Home.

Expectations of Mentors

Report any issues or concerns immediately to house supervisor/foster parent.
Provide fun and novel experiences while maintaining proper supervision.
Maintain confidentiality but understand that there are certain “secrets” you must report.
Coordinate visits in advance with house supervisor/foster parent.
Do not show up without a scheduled visit.
Do not bring other family members (especially children) on campus to visit.
Do not bring Holston Home youth to your home.

Approval

Personal interview/initial training (1½–2 hours)
Background checks
Reference checks
Mentor’s Assessment (from results of the interview, feedback from training, and the results of background checks and references)
Copies of mentor’s driver’s license, vehicle registration and insurance

Background Checks

FBI, TBI Fingerprints
Local police records check
National Sexual Offender Registry clearance
Child Abuse Registry clearance
Motor Vehicle Records check

If you have any concerns about any of the checks listed above or are aware of issues that might arise from the checks, please discuss promptly with the Recruiter/Trainer. A problem in your past does not automatically exclude you from being a mentor.

Get Started

Be the Mentor You Wish You Had

Please fill out the online application below and someone from our team will be in touch with next steps shortly.

Questions before applying? Contact us.

"*" indicates required fields

Step 1 of 5

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General Information

Name*

First Middle Last

Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Phone*

Phone Type

Cell

Home

Email*

Emergency Phone Number*

Sex*

Male

Female

Date of Birth*

MM slash DD slash YYYY

Race

Are you a U.S. Citizen?*

Yes

Religious Affiliation

Last Grade Completed

Occupation*

Employer*

Relations & References

Will your spouse or significant other ever be present when you mentor?*

If yes, please list name/DOB below. You will also need to complete a Release Authorization for Background Investigation for your partner when asked.

Yes

Partner's Name*

First Last

Partner's Date of Birth*

MM slash DD slash YYYY

Members of Your Family

Name

DOB

Sex

School/Grade or Occupation

Relationship

References*

Please provide at least three references. At least one reference needs to have known you for 5+ years; references cannot be family members.

Name

Phone Number

Relationship

Residence(s)

Please list all addresses at which you have lived in the past five years and the dates of residence. Please begin with your current address.

Current Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Dates of Residence*

In the space below, please give detailed directions to your house:

Previous Addresses

Please provide your full street address and dates of residence.

Address

Dates of Residence

Have you had previous involvement with the Department of Children's Services?*

Yes

If yes, please summarize your involvement and the time frame during which this took place.*

Motivation to Mentor*

Briefly describe what has interested you in becoming a mentor.

Legal

Are you currently charged with, or have you ever been convicted, placed on probation or received a suspended sentence for:

Any crime involving children?*

Yes

Any crime of violence against another person?*

Yes

Possession, sale, manufacturing or transportation of drugs?*

Yes

Any other crime?*

Yes

If yes, please explain:*

Signature

This form is merely a statement of intentions and can be withdrawn by the applicant at any time. Signature of applicant authorizes Holston Home for Children to contact the references listed on the application form and authorizes said references to respond to the inquiry.

Applicant Signature*

First Last

Date*

MM slash DD slash YYYY

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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Name*

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Email*

Comments

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Holston Home for Children
404 Holston Drive,
Greeneville, TN 37743

(423) 638-4171

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