Can you think of someone in your life, outside of your parental figures, who showed a deep and genuine care for you? Having access to supportive, non-parental adults who care is considered a positive childhood experience and helps buffer life’s toughest times. 

David Townsend, Executive Director of The Home of Opportunities and Dreams (HOOD), uses his time and talents to create welcoming environments that promote positive development and create access to safe and trusted adults. 

In this Bloom Kentucky blog series, we explore how positive experiences buffer adversity and boost well-being. Today’s spotlight is on the PCE of having at least two non-parental adults who genuinely care. 


Spotlight on PCE: Having At Least 2 Non-Parental Adults Who Genuinely Care

Caring non-parental adults show up in a myriad of places – from the family reunion to the school house, place of worship, ball field, and everywhere in between, you will find adults who take great pride in shaping the next generation. Non-parental adults are mentors, extended family, teachers, coaches, faith-based leaders, and other trusted adults. At the core of this PCE is having access to safe, stable, and nurturing relationships. 

What the Research Says 

Research has consistently demonstrated how having access to supportive non-parental adults in the lives of young people can contribute to academic success, greater mental well-being, increased motivation, amongst other positive outcomes.  

What Does This Look Like in Action? 

David Townsend understands this research in his work with The HOOD, a non-profit based in Somerset. The vision of the HOOD was inspired by the original five promises as presented by America’s Promise – The Alliance for Youth. Those original promises were:

  • An ongoing relationship with a caring adult
  • Safe places with structured activities during non school hours
  • A healthy start and future
  • Marketable skill through effective education and
  • The opportunity to serve.

One way that The Hood works to actualize these promises is by connecting youth with caring adults. Townsend describes: “When caring adults build rapport and a trusting relationship with a child/young adult they become part of that person’s informal support system, someone the child knows they can depend on for no other reason other than they have demonstrated genuine concern and care. That relationship is a promise that every child deserves. The foundation of our program is built on building that rapport and relationships between our mentors and the youth we serve.”

Lily Fish, a youth participant shared, “Since joining The HOOD, I’ve contributed to something larger than myself, acknowledging that we have a duty to contribute, to give back, to actively participate in shaping a better world, we can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone. David Townsend, my mentor, showed me that, he has played a very important role in my life showing me the value of service to others.”

Marina Marqus, another youth participant, described, “I feel like The HOOD club is a group with caring people and people that you can be yourself with and that will help you with a lot of things. I basically think of them as my brothers and sisters. I also feel like it’s really important to me that we do things to help out people in need, or in general just helping. I feel like having a caring mentor is the best part of it all because he makes us feel like we can talk to him and that he trusts us enough to talk to us about his difficulties also. I feel like he is a father figure to me because he’s caring, I tell him everything, he makes sure we’re not hungry, and understands us. I feel like it’s really important to have a caring mentor.” 

Samuel Pacheco, a HOOD member, stated, “When I think about the HOOD I think of all the amazing people that are a part of it. I also think about the amazing opportunities that are given to us by all of the different mentors. It helps me learn so much about things I never would’ve known if it wasn’t for all the kind people who taught me those things”. 

The Power of a Supportive, Non-Parental Adults Who Care

Kentucky kids deserve to have access to adults who care. We know from research and the amazing work happening across our schools and programs, such as The HOOD, Girl Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs, mentoring programs like Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Partners for Change, as well as, Kentucky Refugee Ministries and Sowing Seeds with Faith, that access to adults who care can change the trajectory of lives and create a strong Kentucky. 

Interested in further learning? Check out how youth define safe and trusted adults here.