| Kids need multiple caring adult relationships in his or her life to weather adolescence. Research shows volunteer mentors can play a powerful role in reducing drug and alcohol abuse and youth violence, while greatly enhancing a young persons prospects for leading a healthy and productive life. Today, too many young people do not receive enough of the guidance and support that mentors can provide.
Mentoring helps young people overcome challenges by reconnecting them to broader society. Fortune magazine states, the number one indicator of success for a child is a good relationship with a caring adult.
A 1995 impact study of Big Brothers Big Sisters shows mentored youth are:
- 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
- 53% less likely to skip school
- 33% less likely to get in fights
The Quantum Opportunities Program, funded by the Ford Foundation showed that high school students from families on public assistance who had mentors were more likely to graduate from high school, enroll in college, become involved in community service and be hopeful about their future.
Youth also believe in the successes of mentoring. A 1998 survey conducted by The Commonwealth Fund shows mentors helped young people a lot in the following areas:
- Feelings about himself/herself with 62% of young people
- Poor grades with 48% of young people
- Hanging out with the wrong crowd with 42% of young people
- Getting into trouble outside of school with 47% of young people
- Skipping school with 52% of young people
- Smoking, drinking or drug use with 45% of young people
- In the area of sexual activity with 25% of young people
Learn more about impact and latest research on MENTOR's Research Corner.
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