When mentoring is mentioned, thoughts quickly go to being a friend or a buddy for a child or youth. Mentoring also conjures up images of playing board games, throwing a football or softball, going out to eat or doing arts and crafts.

While the mentoring relationship can be fun, it can offer so much more for both the mentor and mentee. Mentoring is critical in today’s world because it intentionally creates opportunities for young people. The relationship is immeasurable but here are a few numbers that shows the impact mentoring can have (from mentoring.org):

• 85% of mentees say their relationship has helped with school/educational issues.
• 74% of mentees say their mentor contributed to their success later in life.
• 56% of mentees say having a mentor supported their mental health in a positive way.

Mentoring’s connection to mental health is vital for both the mentee and mentor. It has a ripple effect on outcomes for each.

A young person who has a mentor has someone they can depend on and help them come out of their shell. That can affect the trajectory — in positive ways — of other areas in their lives. Mentoring can boost a mentee’s:

• Social skills to improve relationships with their parents, teachers and other students.
• Self-esteem and confidence at both home and school.
• Academic performance to where they want to attend school, look forward to graduation and pursue post-secondary education.
• Awareness to explore future career paths.
• Involvement in their communities and becoming an active member of society.

What the mentor receives from the relationship can be just as valuable. Mentors feel a strong sense of accomplishment that they matter to someone and have made a change in mentees’ lives. The relationship can boost a mentor’s:

• Self-awareness that leads them to reflect on their experiences.
• Communication and leadership skills, learning to provide constructive feedback.
• Perspective and understanding of different life experiences.
• Access to a mentoring network that allows them to get to know leaders of other organizations.
• Sense of community, connecting with others about supporting youth.

If interested in more information on mentoring and how to become a mentor with Youth Villages, go to youthvillages.org/mentoring.

By Christy Schuster
Assistant Director, Clinical Services, Youth Villages

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