Our Staff & Consultants

Nancy Cervantes

Giovanni Frausto

Cynthia Heard, M.Ed

Warren Henderson

Jessica Hutcheson

Andrell Jackson

Kristina Lay

Terrie Leali

Alexandra Lizarraga

Michele Manley, M.Ed,  PPSC/PPSP

Geraldine Melgar

Rod Sherwood

Robert Slaughter

Dr. Victoria Stevens

Melba Tolbert

Rebecca Townes

 

 

To reach the Children Uniting Nations' staff please contact us at (323) 944-0500. 
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the process to become a mentor?

All mentors must participate in an Orientation/Training session.  Once you have been trained, selected your program and answered pre-screening questions, you will be referred to one of our partner agencies/school sites who will provide additional support.  All mentors are required to submit a TB test and fingerprint results to ensure the highest security measures. Based on your pre-screening, we will work to create an ideal match that will benefit our mentors and mentees for en enriching experience.

Once I complete the training, how long will it take to match me with a youth in the program?

The length of time varies from mentor to mentor due a number of reasons (i.e., DMV forms, required background checks, reference checks, TB test clearance). Generally, from the time a mentor completes the training to the time a mentor-mentee match is made may take between 5 - 8 weeks.

What are the major differences between the School Based and Community Based programs?

Although both programs emphasize a one-to-one-relationship, the major difference between the two programs is the time requirement and environment.

• School Based Program caters to seven middle schools in South Los Angeles and requires a weekly commitment of 1 - 2 hours. There are opportunities to participate during the week and/or Saturday mornings.  Additionally, mentors meet in a supervised setting on school grounds with their mentee or on field trips that are pre-arranged by Children Uniting Nations. The School Based Program focuses both on building a meaningful relationship and also supporting the mentee’s educational goals.
• Community Based Program is offered throughout Los Angeles County and requires a monthly commitment of 8-10 hours; we recommend matches connect 2 or 3 times a month. Mentors also interact with mentees via telephone on a weekly basis.  The Community Based Program allows mentors to take their mentees into the community for cultural, educational and recreational experiences based on the match’s interests. 

Can I request a specific age group or gender for my mentee? How are the matches determined?

Yes, when you answer your pre-screening questionnaire you can specify a particular age group and list the types of activities you would like to do with your mentee.  Typically we will match same genders, however, due to a shortage of male mentors we may mix genders with the participants' consent.  Older males will not be matched with younger females, and mixing is more common with the School Based Program.

What do I do with my mentee?  Where do we go on our first meeting?

• School Based Program: The majority of your time spent with your mentee is onsite at the school.  Mentors may also spend time doing non-academic activities with their mentees including: using computers, general chatting, or playing sports.  Additionally, there are often activities outside of school where you and your mentee can bond in a more carefree environment.
• Community Based Program: The first 24 hours (essentially 3 months) of your relationship will take place during supervised group activities.  This can include trips to go bowling, arts & crafts, playing games etc.  Once matches are more comfortable with each other, they can discuss future activities based on their combined interests. Mentors may be able to interact with the guardian, social workers and teachers – the level of involvement will be determined per match.

What is the required commitment time?

We ask for a one year commitment.  For the School Based Program the year refers to at least the academic school year, although the program does offer activities during the summer. The Community Based Program commitment will begin once the match is complete.  With evidence that mentoring can be highly damaging to youth when matches end early, we do ask our mentors to ensure they can meet this commitment before they are matched.  Some of our mentors opt to continue contact with their mentees beyond one year, and some, have even been invited to their mentee’s graduation and wedding!

If I can't commit to a year, is there another way I can help out?

Yes! Children Uniting Nations hosts medium- to large-scale community events which require volunteers. We are always looking for one-day help organizing events and acting as mentors.  Our Events page further describes our upcoming opportunities.  Please contact our office if you would like more information on how to get involved.

Can I have more than one mentee?

Typically we prefer that our mentors be able to devote their time and focus on one mentee at a time.  However, during group activities there may be opportunities to interact with multiple pairs.  In the School Based Program there may be more flexibility to have more than one mentee, and group mentoring may be a future development.

What if I do not have a car?

The School Based Program may be more convenient if you do not have a car or do not drive as you will have the option to take public transportation to the school site.  We do recommend you have a car for the Community-Based Programs as mentors will need to meet their mentee at their home and travel to various activities out in the community may be more difficult. 

How much will it cost me to be a mentor?

There is no charge to participate as a mentor, however, offsite activities may not covered by the program.  There are often group activities where food, travel and/or admission is included.  Mentees are aware prior to your relationship that asking for money and gifts is not appropriate, and as a mentor you are not expected to provide financial support.  You may opt to give your mentee a birthday or holiday gift, or occasional token, however this is at your discretion and we encourage you to focus more on the gift of advocacy and guidance your mentee needs.

What if I don’t have any experience with at-risk/children in foster care?

No need to worry!  While at-risk/children in foster care may have unique situations, they are delightful and well rounded and our mentors do not need to have any special training or social work background.  During your initial training you will learn more about the circumstances some of our children may have experienced, and you will hear some techniques on how to best relate to your mentee.  However, your role is not to be your mentee’s social worker, nor should you expect your mentee to have severe behavioral issues based on their history.

Will I be expected to discipline my mentee?

No.  Your role is to establish a strong connection with your mentee as a catalyst for positive change and growth.  You are not an authority figure nor a replacement parent.  We encourage mentors to discuss guidelines with your mentee at the start of your relationship touching on inappropriate behaviors and general expectations.  Should you run into any difficulty with your mentee you may contact a member or Children Uniting Nations, the school site or the foster care agency.  Typically, occasions for discipline do not arise.

Does my mentee want to have a mentor?

Yes.  Mentees will also fill out an application and pre-screening questionnaire. They want to be there and are looking forward to spending time with you.  As with the beginnings of any relationship, there may be an initial period where your mentee may be quiet and have trouble opening up.  It usually takes time to establish a solid, comfortable relationship.  Rest assured participants are very excited and value your presence as one of the few in their lives that are there voluntarily.  We have countless reports of healthy matches that mutually benefit all parties of the program.

Foster Care Statistics

How many children are in foster care?

Nationwide, more than 463,000 children live in foster care. In California, which has the largest foster care population than any other state, the number of foster youth has tripled in the last 20 years (Source:  AFCARS Report 2009).

Why are these children placed in foster care?

Children enter foster care for several reasons:

• 18.8% Physical Abuse
• 7.9% Emotional abuse
• 6.2% Sexual Abuse
• 3.2% Caretaker Inability

Source: Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services. (March 2007). Fact Sheet, Child Welfare Services. Downloaded April 2007 from http://dcfs.co.la.ca.us

What happens if the court orders removal of a child from the home?

If the Juvenile Division decides that it is necessary to remove a child from the home, several possibilities exist:

• the child may be placed with the other parent, if they are separated or divorced
• the child may be placed with relatives, or in a foster or group home

Where the child goes depends on the needs of the child. The court will order that the parents and the child protection agency work together to reunite the family as quickly as possible. Court hearings are held at least every six months if a child is removed from the home to make sure that efforts are being made to bring the child safely back home. The hearings may be held more often if needed.

Source: Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services. Frequently Asked Questions.  (Source:http://dcfs.co.la.ca.us/faq.html#19)

If children are placed in foster care, do parents see them again?

Yes.  Parents are expected to visit regularly, except in unusual circumstances. The parent/child relationship must be maintained if at all possible. It is very hard for children to be separated from their parents, even when the parents have harmed the child. No one can easily replace a child's parents.

Source: Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services. (Source: http://dcfs.co.la.ca.us/faq.html#20)

What happens to foster youth who emancipate (age-out) from the system?

• 65% emancipate without a place to live
• Less than 3% go to college
• 51% are unemployed
• Emancipated females are 4 times more likely to receive public assistance than the general population
• In any given year, foster children compromise less than 0.3% of the state's population, and yet 40% of persons living in homeless shelters are former foster children. A similarly disproportionate percentage of the nation's prison population is comprised of former foster youth.

Source: California Progress Report. (January 17, 2007). "Expanding Transitional Services for Emancipated Foster Youth: An Investment in California's Tomorrow." The Children's Advocacy Institute.

What can I do to help?

There are numerous ways the community can support youth in foster care. Below are a few options:

• Become a Mentor with Children Uniting Nations. By giving some of your time as a mentor, you can inspire a youth to reach their full potential.
• Make a financial donation to Children Uniting Nations to help sustain our mission. Your contribution will help us provide these children with permanent mentors.

Board of Directors & Officers:

• Founder and Chairperson: Daphna Ziman
• Vice Chairperson: Valerie Fitzgerald
• President: Lola Levoy
• Vice President: Kathy Villa
• Chief Financial Officer:  Jonathan Borsuk
• Kimberly Ray
• Mac Africa
• Maria Contreras-Sweet
• Marvin Epstein
• Bill Kendall
• Steve Nemeth
• Rita Saenz
• Cathleen Shera
• Lee Wallach

Executive Advisory Board:

• Alan Adelman
• Hillary Mendelsohn
• Leroy D. Baca
• Metuka Benjamin
• Nancy Moonves
• Sharon Davis
• Steve Nissen
• Tracey Edmonds
• Victoria Hopper

Our Founder Daphna Edwards Ziman

Daphna Edwards Ziman, Founder and Chairperson, created Children Uniting Nations to elevate child welfare to the forefront of the world's consciousness. She has committed herself to challenging and changing the injustices that plague our society in many ways, focusing particularly on the needs of children. Children Uniting Nations is a platform to provide the children of the world with a voice to discuss the threats and dangers of tomorrow's problems. These problems include foster care, the abuse and pollution of the world's environment, the justice system as it relates to the rights of the child, hunger and other concerns that will affect the future of our world.

Daphna Ziman currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Children’s Institute International, which specializes in the treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect and is Chairperson of ABC LOVE (Adoption Brings Children Love), which is committed to finding and placing children in caring and loving families. With equal tenacity she is on the board of HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Pre-School Youngsters), as well as, The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company, which brings theatre arts to at-risk and disadvantaged youth in Los Angeles, California. Daphna Ziman serves on the Woman’s Leadership Board of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and is on the California Council for the Humanities, which strives to enrich California’s cultural life and strengthen communities through public use of the humanities. She also supports City of Hope on behalf of free medical care for the underprivileged or any human being suffering from an incurable disease. Her passion to make lives of individuals better does not end with children, but extends to the homeless through her work with Planet Hope.

Daphna Ziman's passion and commitment to children knows no bounds. Perhaps her most important achievement has been in succeeding to change the law in regards to the fate of abused children. During repeated visits to homeless shelters she became aware of the many abused children who were sent back to their abusive parents when suitable foster parents were interested in their care. This was due to the Family Preservation Act installed to maintain the unity of the family. According to Daphna, "…part of the law includes a reunification clause, which allows biological parents to be reunited with their own abused children, even if they were severely and permanently abused…". Daphna Ziman went to Washington D.C. and lobbied to change the law that would permit parents to reunite with their children, "as long as it’s in the best interests of the child," which has resulted in dramatically increased protection for abused children. Despite all of the time she devotes to the needs of those less fortunate, she still manages to be president of an Independent Film and Television Production Company, Edwards Entertainment International, where she wears the three hats of Writer, Producer and Director. Her latest film, Footsteps screened on Showtime.

Awards and Honors:

Daphna Ziman's dedication to the children of the world has been recognized with numerous awards.  She has been honored to receive the Jacqueline Kennedy Award by JFK University, the Women Achievement Award by North American Council for Adoptable Children, and the Lifetime Achievement Award for Children Advocacy.  Additionally, Daphna Ziman has been awarded the following:

• 1999 Peace & Tolerance Lifetime Achievement Award for Child Advocacy at the 'International Day for Tolerance Lifetime Achievement Awards'. (Sponsored by The DeCapo Foundation, Friends of the United Nations and Children Uniting Nations).
• 2002 Spirit of Compassion Award presented by the Aviva Family and Children Services.
• 2003 Women of the Accomplishment Award
• 2003 John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award (Los Angeles Democratic Party)
• 2006 Spirit of Life Award (City of Hope - Los Angeles) for her outstanding support and charitable efforts.
• 2007 Blue Skies Award (Penny Lane Center), for her support of foster care, mentoring, education, and dedication to improving the lives of at-risk children.

Making an Impact:

• May 1999: On behalf of Children Uniting Nations, Daphna Ziman accompanied a delegation on a humanitarian mission to help Kosovo refugees. She and the group brought food and medical supplies to the refugees and airlifted mothers and children from the camps in Albania and Hungary to absorption centers in Israel.
• January 2002: First Ladies and Representatives from around the country congregated in Los Angeles at the Mayors’ Official Home, The Getty House, for a symposium dedicated to ending Childhood Hunger in America. Larry King moderated the Symposium in an effort to streamline the process of preparing three meals a day in schools, in poverty-stricken areas throughout the United States.
• Day of the Child: In collaboration with the Entertainment Industry Foundation and the End Hunger Network, every November Children Uniting Nations hosts thousands of disenfranchised foster care children for a fun-filled day with caring mentors from the community. During this event, individuals are invited to mentor a child for the day; children benefit from a day of rides, food and companionship and leave with a gift bag filled with toys, clothes and toiletries.
• Ongoing Events and Activities: Children Uniting Nations hosts opportunities throughout the year to interact with these special children that need extra support from our caring community. The annual Dodger Day Event is a favorite to bridge thousand of volunteers and children at Dodger Stadium for a fun-filled day of baseball and treats.  The Award Viewing Dinner and After Party bring out Los Angeles’ finest in support of Children Uniting Nations programs and honor key contributors in the community.  The Community-Based and Academic-Based Mentor Programs offer year-round hands-on activity fostering one-on-one bonds to cultivate children in a well-rounded experience.

Children Uniting Nations is a proactive non-profit organization created to bring attention to the plight of at-risk and foster youth.

Our goal is to reach as many children in out-of-home care by offering role-model support, guidance, a sense of community and promoting the importance of an education.  We match participants with highly trained mentors that are compassionate, steadfast and have an unconditional desire to give of themselves in order to make a positive difference in the lives of our most vulnerable children.

Pioneered in Los Angeles in 1999 by our Founder and Chair, Daphna Ziman, our mission is to create loving, tolerant, and capable world citizens and we are dedicated to help children find their way to fulfill their dreams.  Sadly, children are the main victims of adult difficulties-whether it's financial or political problems, war, lack of education, malnutrition, or carelessness. We must break the cycle and help EVERY child find a way out of cruelty, neglect and anger and strengthen our leaders of the next generations.  We have the ability to make the change now and create compassionate and loving children for the future.