By Sarrah Peters
News Editor
Alabama Mentor has been helping local children find foster families
and encourage the clients to take steps toward their future.
Terrica Carter was one of Mentor’s clients. In August 2014, she was
placed with Vera and Jerry Washington.
“From the first time I walked into their house, I felt like I
belonged,” said Carter. “They were like my mom and dad.”
The rest of the family became a family to her as well. Carter
participated in the Washington’s 40 year anniversary.
After three months, Carter was faced with the prospect of having to
leave. The Mentor workers recognized Carter’s connection to the
Washingtons and worked out a way for her to stay.
They are really sweet and helpful,” said Carter about Mentor. “Even if
they are not your worker they’ll help you. It’s like a big family
there.”
Carter says that the Washingtons were always there to support her.
“She was always there for me with school,” said Carter. “And we would
watch TV every Tuesday night.”
Mentor also encouraged Carter to do well in school. They got her to
attend a University of Alabama nursing camp.
The nursing camp showed Carter that she wanted to be a nurse.
The family faced its share of troubles as well. In May 2015, Vera had
to have open heart surgery. Carter helped take care of her after the
surgery. Carter said that it provided good experience.
During Carter’s senior year, Mentor gave her many scholarship
applications. The applications paid off, Carter received several
scholarship’s totaling $9,000. Carter will be attending the University
of North Alabama for nursing in August.
Mentor has seven offices in Florence, Madison, Attalla, Birmingham,
Mobile, Opelika and Montgomery. The company has served about 260
clients throughout the state in the last year. Mentor usually serves
children between the ages of 6-21.
To learn more about Alabama Mentor, visit www.al-mentor.com.