A matter of trust.
Mentoring is a structured and trusting relationship that brings young people together with caring individuals who offer guidance, support and encouragement aimed at developing the competence and character of the mentee. A mentor is an adult who, along with parents, provides a young person with support, counsel, friendship, reinforcement and a constructive example. Mentors are good listeners, people who care and want to help young people bring out strengths that are already there. A mentor is not a foster parent, therapist, parole officer or peer.
All young people have the potential to succeed in life and contribute to society. However, not all children get the support they need to thrive.
An estimated and astounding 18 million young people – nearly half the population of young people between 6 and 18 – live in situations that put them at risk of not living up to their potential.
Without immediate intervention by caring adults, they could make choices that not only undermine their futures, but also the economic and social well-being of our nation.
Mentoring – the presence of caring adults offering support, advice, friendship, reinforcement and a constructive example – has proved to be a powerful tool for helping young people fulfill their potential.
Mentoring can help by:
- Improving young people’s attitudes toward their parents, peers and teachers;
- Encouraging students to stay motivated and focused on their education;
- Providing a positive way for young people to spend free time;
- Helping young people face daily challenges; and
- Offering young people opportunities to consider new career paths and acquire much-needed economic skills and knowledge.
By using your influence and resources as a decision maker, you can bring new hope to young lives through the power of mentoring. You might be surprised by how much you will benefit, as well.
Copied directly from Mentoring.org (http://www.mentoring.org), published by the National Mentoring Partnership, covers issues on youth mentoring.
