Adult/Child Mentoring Programs

The agency provides youth services for Jewish families throughout Los Angeles County and operates Camp Bob Waldorf, a non-sectarian summer camp for children. Services include adult/child mentoring programs and mentoring services volunteer opportunities. The Los Angeles office provides these services directly for families who live in the Metropolitan Los Angeles area, administers the provision of these programs at three branch sites throughout Los Angeles County, provides all intake services for the program and recruits volunteers who want to be big brothers or big sisters. There are no geographic restrictions.

The volunteer Big Brother Big Sister program matches trained adult volunteers with children, age 9 to 16, who could benefit from an additional positive role model. The program is primarily offered to Jewish single parent families. Families who apply are evaluated by professional Caseworkers through an interview to determine their appropriateness for the program. Youth who are accepted are matched with screened, trained adult volunteers who spend time with them on a regular basis.

Jewish volunteers, age 21 and older, are carefully screened through interviews, background checks and recommendations. Those who are accepted are trained and supervised by professional staff on an ongoing basis. Staff also meet regularly with the child's parent or guardian to evaluate the impact of the big brother or big sister on the child and family.

The program also administers Camp Bob Waldorf, which provides a specialized camping experience for children age 7 to 12. For information about this program, see the separate entry.