Why Be A Mentor? Impact A Youth's Life

A Lasting Impact

If you think back to your own childhood, you may remember an adult who played the role of a mentor in your life, and that you believe positively influenced your future. The real impact of mentors on youth wasn't fully understood, but now the release of new research studies prove the lasting effect a mentor has on their mentee. According to MENTOR, the National Mentoring Partnership, 1 in 3 young people grow up without a supportive adult role model and/or caretaker in their lives. This is especially concerning, as having an adult mentor impacts a child's future educational achievement, self-esteem, and emotional well-being.
Nationally, 1.3 million students drop out of school every year. Half of low-income and minority youth fail to graduate on time. Only 10% of at-risk youth in the lowest income quartile graduate from college.
But there is hope; the new statistics concerning mentors is promising.

At-Risk youth that have a mentor are:

• 55% more likely to enroll in college
• 78% more likely to volunteer regularly
• 52% less likely to skip school
• 46% less likely to start using illegal drugs

Friends for Youth has a success rate far above the national average. Not only do 98% of mentoring relationships created in our program complete the 1-year term, 90% stay connected and have long-term mentorships that exist outside of the program. 100% of our mentees stay in school, and 88% avoided and/or stopped use of illegal drugs and alcohol. As you can see, mentoring works!

How Can You Help?
  
The facts don't lie. Having a mentor during child and early adulthood has an immensely positive effect on an individual's life. 
So, don't you want create a lasting impact on a local youth in-need, in a way that effectively changes their future? Become a mentor! Sign up for an info session today and learn more about how you can get involved.  

Source - http://www.mentoring.org/why-mentoring/mentoring-impact/#1442263051104-6ca77555-c66a1be4-a01f