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Spence-Chapin’s Mentorship Programs are adoptee-led and run groups for teen and tween adoptees that meet monthly with adult adoptee Mentors. Through fun group activities, discussions, and day trips to locations throughout New York City, Mentorship is a place where adoptees can talk about the things that are important to them while making friendships that last a lifetime!
For 16 years, Spence-Chapin’s Teen Mentoring Program has created a community for young adoptees in New York City and the tri-state area. And now our program is going nationwide virtually!
We are excited to announce the launch of our national group mentoring program connecting young adoptees ages 13-18 with adoptees 21+ in fun virtual activities and adoptee centered discussions. Our “mentees” meet with peers and older adoptees, their “mentors,” as a group to have conversations about the topics that are important to them: biological family, identity, and belonging. For many, it is their first experience being in a space with only adoptees! Our mentors, some of whom have been in the program for more than 5 years, understand the importance of their role and truly value their time with the teens. Often, the mentors learn just as much from the teens, as the teens do from them! Adoptees gain a place to see themselves reflected and a community where they can openly share their experiences and ask questions.
Founded in 2005, Spence-Chapin’s Mentorship Program is adoptee-led and run, providing fun events for teen and tween adoptees. Adoptees 21+ volunteer as Mentors and act as positive role models for the kids who join.
Mentorship meets monthly on a Saturday in NYC for 3-4 hours.
Mentorship is a LOT of fun! From scavenger hunts throughout Manhattan, cooking and painting classes, rock climbing, and ice skating, kids have an opportunity to try new things while making friendships with peers.
The program has days throughout the schedule, like “Adoption Day,” and “Identity Day,” where kids and mentors have discussion and activity-based events where they discuss their experiences as adoptees. Through games and team building activities, kids have an opportunity to express themselves in new ways while learning about one another, and their mentors.
Some discussions may center on birth family, birth place or culture, friendships, talking about adoption with others, and relationships to name a few.
Countless friendships have been made and many adoptees feel like they finally have a space where people “get” them.
Even if your child has never been in a group of other adoptees before, that’s ok, we welcome all adoptees! We are excited to have you join us!
The Junior Mentorship Program welcomes adoptees ages 10-12 years old to participate in monthly group activities in-person at our NYC offices, at locations throughout Manhattan.
Junior Mentorship is a group for young adoptees to have fun, while making new friends, and beginning their mentorship journey at Spence-Chapin.
The program has days throughout the schedule, like “Adoption Day,” and “Identity Day,” where kids and mentors have discussion and activity-based events where they discuss their experiences as adoptees. Through games and team building activities, kids have an opportunity to express themselves in new ways while learning about one another, and their mentors.
Some discussions may center on birth family, birthplace or birth-culture, friendships, talking about adoption with others, and relationships to name a few.
Junior Mentorship welcomes all adoptees whether placed through Spence-Chapin or not.
Junior Mentorship is facilitated by Spence-Chapin staff who are adoptees themselves, along with adult adoptee Mentors who are 21+.
Even if your child has never been in a group of other adoptees before, that’s ok, we welcome all adoptees! We are excited to have you join us!
Jessica is a transracial adoptee born in Bogota, Colombia who grew up in Long Island, New York. She is an Adoptee Advocate, working to create supportive spaces for adoptees and their families. Jessica was one of the founding mentors in the NYC Teen Mentorship program which began in 2006, and now is the Manager of Community Engagements at Spence-Chapin, overseeing all community programming. Jessica’s passion for connecting with adoptees and their families has always been the driving force in her work and is the reason she continues to create spaces for adoptee stories and voices.
Rebecca is a transracial adoptee born in Paraguay and raised in New Jersey. She is a social worker who has been volunteering with Spence-Chapin for over 3 years as a Mentor in the NYC Teen Mentorship program. Rebecca is excited to return to Mentorship as the Facilitator of the Junior Mentorship Program this fall! She has a passion for working with adoptees and their families and in her spare time, she paints, writes, and likes to spend time with other adoptees in her community.
Our Mentors are all Adoptees themselves!
They volunteer as Mentors because they understand the importance of having Adoptee-centered spaces and creating positive role models for young Adoptees.
Every year, we welcome new faces into our group, and this year is no different! Some Mentors return year after year because this program has made such an impact on them.
Our Mentors are passionate about the work they do in creating open spaces for our adoptive community to connect and learn from one another.
GET TO KNOW OUR MENTORS!
Lila
Kayla
Luke
Ruby
Alex
Layla
Liz
Halle
Andie
David
Sydney
Dana
Jessica, Facilitator
Doreen
Lily
Rebecca
Patricia
Check out our podcast Adoption Talk by Spence-Chapin, where we love featuring our mentors and talking about the mentorship program!
Hear from Mentors, Mentees, and Parents about their experiences in the program.
©2023 SPENCE-CHAPIN SERVICES TO FAMILIES AND CHILDREN A REGISTERED 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.
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