North Star Mentoring of Erie County Independent Living Program helps young people with a history of 
foster care and/or out of home placement to make permanent connections with positive adult role models.

Do you know the facts?

 

  • Mentored young people are 46% less likely to get involved with drugs (source BBBS)
  • 59% improved their grades (source Career Beginnings)
  • 86% went to higher education (source Proctor & Gamble)
  • 80% of youth involved in the juvenile detention system who received a mentor did not return to that system (source Prison Fellowship)
  • Positive outcomes for young people in mentoring relationships are directly correlated with the length of the relationship, as time makes it stronger (source BBBS)




Do you have what it takes?

About Us:


Just by being surrounded by caring adults, young people are able to thrive in all areas of their lives. North Star Mentoring of Erie County Independent Living Program recognizes that a caring adult who spends just a few hours a month with a youth makes a difference in that youth’s daily life. 


The Erie County Independent Living Program is a contractual and collaborative arrangement between Family Services of NW PA, Bethesda Lutheran Services, and the Erie County Office of Children and Youth (OCY). OCY contracts with both Family Services of NW PA and Bethesda to provide jointly the direct services of the Erie County Independent Living Program (ECILP) to youth aged 14-23. 


Learn More

Come see us at these upcoming events!

Sat. 5/16/26 – WhatARTu Youth Art Show at Mercyhurst Prep, Noon – 5pm

Fri. 6/5/26 – Mental Health Movie Night at UPMC Park, FREE, showing “The Unbreakable Boy”, gates open at 7pm

Wed. 6/10/26 – Cruise on Victorian Princess Ladies on the Bay, 5:30pm - 7:30pm. Proceeds from basket raffle on the boat go to Safe Net!

Sat. 6/13/26 - Sun. 6/14/26 – Kick Off to Summer Event at Finnell Farms, 10am - 5pm

Thurs. 6/25/26 – Nonprofit Partnership Job and Volunteer Fair at Gannon’s Yehl Ballroom, 10am - 2pm

Sun. 6/28/26 – Dashing Erie at Perry Square, 11am - 5pm

Sat. 7/11/26 –  Kiwanis Carnival Columbus Park Erie, 11am - 2pm

Sat. 7/25/26 – McKean Community Days at McKean Community Park, Noon - 7pm

Tues. 8/4/26 – National Night Out, locations and times TBD.

Sat. 8/8/26 – 814 Save the Youth event at Liberty Park, 2pm - 10pm

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A MENTOR?

LEARN MORE