A recent study of our youth mentoring program revealed that 95% of participants credited their mentors with helping them set and achieve academic and career goals.
Research consistently demonstrates that students engaged in mentoring relationships attend school more regularly, avoid negative behaviors, and are more likely to graduate on time. According to the National Mentoring Resource Center, mentored students are less likely to skip school, consume alcohol, use drugs, or engage in conflicts.
Mentoring offers a powerful opportunity to transform lives and foster a stronger community. With the involvement of a caring adult, students experience significant academic improvements, including higher FSA scores, successful graduation with diplomas, and an increased likelihood of pursuing higher education.
The National Dropout Prevention Center Network highlights a recurring sentiment among students who drop out of school: “No one cared if I stayed in school or not.” Similarly, the Commonwealth Fund Survey of Adults Mentoring Young People found that 8 out of 10 students in mentoring relationships face challenges that jeopardize their health, development, or academic success.
The traditional support systems of the past, such as two-parent households or tight-knit neighborhoods, are less common today, leaving many youth without essential guidance. Mentoring fills this gap by serving as a proven, effective strategy to support at-risk youth, providing them with role models and a positive, reliable support system.