Who can be a guide?
Reliable, encouraging adults who can listen without judgment, honor boundaries and consistently show up. Guides complete screening and training before being matched.
- Home
- Become a Compass Guide
Consistent, Practical, Youth-Centered Support
Be the steady person who helps possibility feel reachable.
Compass Guides offer consistent, practical, youth-centered support. They do not choose the path—they help a young person navigate it.
The Role, Plainly
What guiding is — and what it isn’t.
Before anyone applies, we want the role to be completely clear. Here is the whole picture.
What does a guide do?
A guide helps a young person set goals, think through choices, access resources, celebrate progress and build confidence—without trying to replace a parent or professional counselor.
Who and when do guides serve?
Guides support current and former foster youth ages 16–24, especially during major transitions such as graduation, employment, housing and aging out of care.
Where does guiding happen?
Matches are based in Clark County, Nevada, with safe in-person meetings, community activities and approved virtual check-ins.
Why is a guide needed?
Young people leaving care often face adult decisions without the lasting family network many peers rely on. One consistent adult can offer perspective, connection and encouragement.
What training is provided?
Training will cover:
- Trauma-informed relationships
- Cultural humility
- Communication
- Healthy boundaries
- Mandated reporting
- Safety
- Local resources
- IAF match expectations
The Path to a Match
Start with interest.
Grow through training.
Six steps, at a pace that works for you. Nothing is a commitment until you say so.
The path runs from an interest form through orientation, screening, training, matching and ongoing support.
Step 01
Join the Interest List
Tell us a little about you. This is not an application and it is not a commitment — it simply lets us send you orientation dates and answer your questions.
- No experience required. Consistency matters more than expertise.
- Screening and training happen before any match is made.
- You will always have an IAF contact — guides never guide alone.
Please don’t include sensitive details here. Background screening happens later, through a secure process — never through this form.
Give With Purpose
Not able to guide right now? Steady giving still shows up.
Training, matching and ongoing guide support all take resources. Monthly gifts keep the program running between orientations.
Find Your Next Step
Let’s find the right next step together.
Whoever you are and whatever brought you here, there is a way in.
I Need Support
Tell us what would help most. We start by listening.
Request support →Become a Compass Guide
Be the steady adult who helps possibility feel reachable.
Join the interest list →Volunteer
Lend time, skills or a hand at events and workshops.
Volunteer with IAF →Donate
Consistent giving creates consistent support.
Give with purpose →