The Mathis Foundation for Children Programs serve children and youth who have been placed in out-of-home care by the Juvenile Courts.

In 2010, the Mentor Program will serve youths ages 10-24 with permanent mentors and financial support, and the Leadership Program will serve youths ages 14-18 with a monthly workshop program with adult and pier mentors.

The Mentor Program provides child specific mentors to children and youth in the Program. Mentors are interviewed and selected, and provided trainings and opportunities to share with other mentors and youth in recreational programs throughout the year. The Mentor Program offers financial support to youth in need of funding to maintain stability in their school environment. Program goals include all youth in the Program complete high school, 90% attend post secondary education, and 50% graduate from post secondary education.

The Leadership Program serves selected youth living in foster homes with an opportunity to engage in monthly life skills training workshops consisting of motivational speakers related to a learning experience/activity. A Pilot Leadership Forum in collaboration with Hamilton county Job and Family Services will begin in 2010 for 5 monthly Saturdays. Adult volunteer mentors work with the foster youth during the Saturday sessions and provide encouragement between sessions. Forum goals include 80% percent of the youth complete the Forum, 100% of the youth completing the Forum gain the self confidence to speak before the group, cooperate effectively in a team project, write a self assessment, prepare a monthly budget, and express an understanding of the dangers of drug use and criminal behavior, and 50% of the youth develop an ongoing relationship with their mentors.