On Sunday, July 13, nineteen mentors and youth, who are a part of the LIFE (Launching Into Future Excellence) Program, gathered at Kauffman Stadium to cheer on the Kansas City Royals. Most of these mentors and youth were meeting for the very first time and spent the afternoon getting to know each other.

“It was a great first event to meet the youth I will be working with and mingle with other mentors,” said Laurie Stowe, a LIFE Coach who heard about KVC through the annual Everyday Heroes Luncheon.

“I can already tell that this experience is going to be mutually beneficial as I truly enjoyed sharing in the experience of my mentee’s first Major League Baseball game!” said Richard Webdell, President of KVC’s General Advisory Board and LIFE Coach.

Stefanie Werth, Independent Living Program Manager and Laurie Stowe, LIFE Coach at the K!

LIFE Coaches will meet with older youth once a month in an effort to support the youth in developing life skills and gaining life experiences.

The goal of the LIFE program is to engage families and individuals in the community with young adults to help them make LIFE-long connections that will support them as they transition into adulthood. Each mentor has completed a 10-hour training curriculum to learn more about attachment, trauma and the child welfare system in Kansas.  With this training, the mentors will encourage youth with guidance and support as they prepare to leave the foster care system.  Mentors can be professionals, community contacts, church members, or family friends that are interested in giving their time to make a difference in the life of a youth in foster care.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a LIFE Coach, click here or contact KVCLIFE@kvc.org!