By the time he was 9 years old, J. Justin Pasquariello had lived in three foster homes before finally being adopted. His experiences led Justin to founding AFC Mentoring, with the goal of providing stable, loving, and responsible mentors to foster and adoptive children, who desperately need consistency and support to avoid destructive behaviors. In either one-on-one or in a group program, AFC matches kids between the ages of 7 and 14 with mentors who themselves often spent time in out-of-home care. In addition, AFC provides an internship program for 15-22 year olds, enabling them to gain valuable work experience to prepare them for their exit from the foster care system. This is more than a feel-good initiative; it is cost-effective, in that those children who age out of foster care without appropriate resources and guidance are likely to become a life-long drain on the public welfare system. One-third of adolescents from foster care end up on public assistance within 15 months of leaving care — hardly surprising considering that less than half of young people exiting foster care have more than $250 to their names. Many of the hurdles faced by children raised in foster care can be overcome with appropriate life skills, role modeling, and guidance. AFC does that, and deserves your support.