Former Foster Child Gives Back to Other Victims with Mentor Program

Adult adoptee “Ross survived a notorious case that shocked the public just like that of LP, the girl who was rescued from the closet in a Kansas City home. Two of Ross’ younger brothers died from their mother’s abuse.

But the boy with the emotional scars is now a man of 23 with a mission to help other fragile youths. Ross, formerly Ronald Bass, is building a mentoring program to match compassionate adults with young people separated from their biological parents and to help them navigate their way to normal lives.”

“Ronald Bass was embraced into the world of foster care, therapy, mentors and adoption after his mother was arrested in 1999. Mary Bass, who starved and otherwise abused her five children, burned two of the boys in scalding bath water in their Kansas City home and then did nothing as they died of infection.

It was a case that appalled Kansas City in much the same way as that of LP, a 10-year-old girl. Her mother, Jacole Prince, is facing criminal charges for allegedly starving her and locking her away in a utility closet.

Ronald Bass and his surviving siblings received a lot of attention because their case was so publicized.

“Everyone kept rooting for me and telling me I could do well,” said Nathan Ross, the name he took to replace his birth one. “When I was having my struggles, my mentor really encouraged me to keep on pursuing my education.

“I had all the resources I needed,” Ross continued, “whereas a lot of these kids, because they’re not seen as important enough in their stories, don’t get the same resources.”

Recruiting Role Models

“Ross recruits adults who will serve as role models for youths without the structure of a caseworker or the foster parental role of a disciplinarian. One of the first things kids in the foster system say is they are tired of adults who always seem to have an agenda.

Instead, mentors go to the movies with them or the park, or just hang out and talk.

“Real-life conversations start to happen that way,” Ross said. “Having an adult figure show them this is what life can be like really motivates them.”

Studies show that these kids, with mentors, are less likely to drop out of school or to fall into drugs or alcohol.

Ross has already matched about 20 volunteer mentors with youths living either in a foster care situation or in a group home.”

A journey from victim to nurturer

[The Kansas City Star  7/6/12 by Matt Campbell]

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