“The power of imagination created the illusion that my vision went much farther than the naked eye could actually see.”
Nelson Mandela
Child and youth mentoring is a supportive relationship between the adult and young person.
The mentor is someone who shares guidance, knowledge, and wisdom with the child, helping them to develop life skills, nurture the power of imagination, and achieve their God-given potential.
According to a study by DuBois et al. (2002) published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, mentoring programs have been associated with positive outcomes in academic performance, self-esteem and relationships.
Benefits of Mentoring
The young person has the opportunity to be exposed to a world of possibilities beyond what they can see, through the experiences the mentor shares with them.
Mentoring can boost the young person’s self-esteem and self-confidence through a formal relationship with an adult who believes in their potential.
Mentoring can act as a deterrence from engaging in risky behaviors such as substance abuse, misbehavior, poor decision-making, and violence.
Inter-personal skills and ability to communicate well increase.
The young person benefits from having a caring adult that sets a good example; many do not have consistent attention and care from adults in their life.
Studies show youth who are mentored are more likely to finish school, and potentially pursue higher education.
