Every January, communities across the country recognize National Mentoring Month—a time to celebrate the life-changing impact mentors have and to invite new adults to step into that role. At CASA of the Eastern Panhandle (CASA-EP), mentoring is more than guidance or companionship; it’s a powerful, preventative force that helps young people build confidence, stability, and hope for the future.
As we move into 2026, CASA-EP is continuing to expand its Mentorship Program, a key part of our Fostering Futures initiative designed to support youth who have experienced abuse, neglect, or instability and who need consistent, caring adults in their corner.
Why Mentorship Matters: Especially for CASA Youth
Many of the youth served by CASA-EP have lived through circumstances that would overwhelm even the strongest adults: family separation, housing instability, trauma, disrupted education, or time spent navigating the foster care system. While courts and systems play a role, what often makes the greatest difference is connection. The difference can be just one reliable adult who shows up, listens, and believes in them.
Mentors provide:
- Consistency during times of change
- Encouragement when confidence is low
- Guidance as youth navigate school, relationships, and life decisions
- Exposure to healthy adult relationships and positive role models
For young people transitioning into adolescence and early adulthood, mentorship can be the difference between feeling alone and feeling supported.
CASA-EP’s Mentorship Program: How It Works
CASA mentors are carefully screened, trained, and supported by CASA-EP staff. Mentors are matched with youth through the Fostering Futures program, which focuses on teens and young adults preparing for independence.
Mentors:
- Meet regularly with their mentee in the community
- Participate in group activities and CASA-hosted Fostering Futures events
- Offer encouragement, accountability, and a listening ear
- Help youth set goals and imagine possibilities for their future
Importantly, mentors are not caseworkers and are not responsible for court advocacy—their role is relational, supportive, and deeply impactful.
Supported Every Step of the Way
One of the most common hesitations potential mentors have is: “What if I don’t know what to do?” CASA-EP understands that concern and we don’t expect mentors to figure things out alone.
Mentors receive:
- Comprehensive training before being matched
- Ongoing support from CASA-EP staff
- Opportunities to connect with other mentors
- Structured activities and events to help build relationships naturally
CASA-EP believes that caring for mentors is essential to caring for youth. Burnout prevention, connection, and encouragement are built into the program.
The Impact: Building Stronger Futures
Through mentorship, youth gain more than advice; they gain belief in themselves. Mentors help young people recognize their strengths, explore interests, and understand that they are not defined by their past or their circumstances.
Mentorship supports:
- Improved self-esteem and confidence
- Better decision-making skills
- Stronger connections to school and community
- A clearer vision for life beyond foster care
These outcomes don’t happen overnight, but they happen through presence, patience, and trust.
Mentoring in 2026: An Invitation
As CASA-EP enters 2026, the need for mentors continues to grow. More youth are navigating complex transitions, and more young people need someone to walk alongside them—not to fix everything, but to show them they are not alone.
If you’ve ever considered mentoring, January is the perfect time to take the first step.
You don’t need special expertise.
You don’t need all the answers.
You just need a willingness to show up.
This Mentoring Month, help us ensure that every young person in our community has access to the guidance, encouragement, and connection they deserve.
To learn more about becoming a CASA mentor or to get involved, visit:
https://www.mycasaep.org/mentorship-pathway/
Together, we can build safer, stronger futures—one relationship at a time.
