What is Mentoring?
Responsible mentoring is a structured, one-to-one relationship or partnership that focuses on the needs of the mentored participant. It fosters caring and supportive relationships and is a strategy to develop active community partnerships.
Those who mentor are caring adults who provide, on a consistent and ongoing basis, support and guidance in academic, professional or personal areas of the life of a child other than their own. Mentors help build self-esteem, engage in positive relationships with children, listen and communicate with youth, reinforce children's achievements and serve as positive role models.
A Positive Impact on Youth...
Mentors make a difference through their advice, their guidance and their example. Teenagers who meet regularly with their mentors are less likely to skip school or drop out, less likely to use drugs and alcohol, and less likely to get lost in a complex and scary world. A recent study showed that children who were mentored, compared with other children, were: 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs; 27% less likely to begin using alcohol; and 52% less likely to skip school. In addition, these youths were more confident of their academic performance, less likely to hit someone and more likely to get along with their families.
And on You
There are a lot of positive benefits to being an adult mentor. Being a mentor will help you feel good about yourself and improve your sense of self-worth. It will allow you to help a young person become who he/she wants to be. Adult mentoring is also an opportunity to share your life experiences and make a positive contribution to America's future.
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