Summary: Meet Ashleigh Diserio, co-founder of a nonprofit in Washington D.C. called Eyes Wide Open Mentoring. This organization is the only one mentoring homeless youth in DC and is 100% voluntarily run. Their mission is to empower homeless youth to rise above their immediate circumstances and take the steps necessary to enable them to have successful futures. They pair trained volunteer mentors to work one-on-one in developmental relationships with homeless youth to address the challenges associated with homelessness. The program follows a formal model that uses evidence-based best mentoring practices and research-driven interventions in the area of trauma-informed care. Mentors help youth develop a realistic plan to cope with and overcome adversity, by expressing care, challenging growth, providing support, allowing mentees to have a voice, and expanding their opportunities. Image & Bio Credit: <a href="http://www.ewomentoring.org">ewomentoring.org</a>.
