Refer A Child
How Do I Refer A Child?
Click here to download the referral form, or request one at mentoring@ymcasf.net or 415-561-0631 x102.
Who Is Eligible?
Building Futures mentees are 6-18 years old and experiencing problems such as low self-esteem, poor academic performance, truancy, peer difficulties, family conflict and poor decision-making skills. Mentees come from a wide range of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, encompassing a variety of family backgrounds including intact families, single-parent families, blended families, foster home and/or grandparent and other relative-headed families.
How Are Children Referred to the Program?
Youth are referred by school counselors, teachers, parents/guardians, community and mental health services and from other YMCA enrichment programs.
All referrals to Building Futures go through an application process and an initial telephone and face-to-face screening with the Program Coordinator. This process helps determine whether or not each child is appropriate for the program. Those children accepted will be matched with an adult mentor when one is available, usually a few weeks following the initial meeting. Children assessed to have mental health problems not appropriate for our program may be referred to a more appropriate level of care elsewhere. The types of issues not likely to be handled by our mentors include: acute depression, homicidal or suicidal behavior, drug/alcohol dependence and violent behavior.