For the most part, we all understand the benefits of youth mentoring; we’ve seen and heard all of the powerful stories. In fact, you likely have a mentoring story from your own youth. These stories and feelings show us just how powerful youth mentoring is to child development and growing in life.
Every person is different, which in turn is why mentoring affects everyone differently. Mentors offer youth a number of benefits that not only help prepare them for their future life, but also makes them feel confident and strong.
Here is the importance of youth mentoring and the benefits that can come with it.
Mentoring is important because it creates a positive impact in youth’s lives. Whether it is in academics, social situations, or at home, mentoring programs can really make a difference.
Academic benefits
Youth mentoring programs and tutoring programs are kind of similar in the fact that each one is for the betterment of the child, yet mentoring programs are much more complex and don’t just focus on school work. Mentoring programs don’t focus on learning curriculum, but on learning what to do and how to succeed in all aspects of life, especially in school.
According the MENTOR: the National Mentoring Partnership, children at risk who had a mentor were:
- 55%more likely to enroll in college
- 52%less likely to skip school
- 37%less likely to skip class
- 81%more likely to participate in extracurricular activities
Mentoring is about teaching youth how to be invested in school, in their future, and helps hold them accountable. It also helps increase high school graduation rates, lower high school dropout rates, and helps youth grasp a better attitude about school.
Social benefits
On top of helping the youth focus on school and prepare for higher education, youth mentoring programs also help teach proper behavioral skills and traits that play a big part in day to day life.
According to MENTOR, children at risk who had a mentor were:
- 78%more likely to volunteer regularly
- 90% more interested in becoming mentors themselves
- 130% more likely to hold leadership positions
Mentoring youth at a young age will help them not only understand and learn skills needed in life, but help them understand themselves better as well, who they want to be, and increase confidence. It also helps them build relationships with not only peers their own age, but authority and older adults as well.
Home benefits
Outside of school and social aspects, youth mentoring programs can also help youth better their behavior at home. Youth through mentoring programs tend to have a stronger relationship with their parents than before.
According to MENTOR, children at risk who had a mentor were:
- 46%less likely to use drugs
- 27% less likely to drink
- Showed less depressive symptoms
Meeting with a student or child a couple times a month may not seem like a big deal, but the impact it has on them is incredibly beneficial. Mentors help create positive change, and are someone the young person is able to look up to.
DREAM’s mentoring program helps teach strengths-based curriculum, decision making, accountability, self-efficiency and strategic goal setting.
We are always looking for mentors who want to make a difference in someone else’s life. For more information about our mentoring program or volunteering, visit our website.
“I’m not alone, there is someone who cares whether I succeed or not.” - DREAM Youth Member
