WHY MENTOR?

Student and Mentor Being a part of a mentoring program can make an important difference in a child's life. Research indicates mentored children are more likely to succeed and less likely to engage in risky behavior.

YOUNG PEOPLE INVOLVED IN MENTORING PROGRAMS ARE:

MORE LIKELY TO…

Stay in school
Improve their grades
Enroll in college

A 1988 Proctor and Gamble study of mentoring programs in Cincinnati showed while about 25% of the student population went on to college over 85% of mentored students did. That’s nearly a 60% improvement. The study also found that mentored students were more likely to stay in school and improved their grades.

Graduate from high school
Be active in their communities
Be hopeful about their futures

From 1989 to 1991, the Quantum Opportunities Program evaluating the results of mentoring disadvantage teens. Those students who were mentored were significantly more likely to graduate from high school, and to become involved in their communities. In addition, the mentored teens had a much more optimistic view of their futures compared to those who were not involved in a mentoring program.

LESS LIKELY TO…

Begin using illegal drugs
Begin using alcohol
Skip school
Hit someone

A 1995 study involving Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) found that youth who participated in the program were 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs, 27% less likely to start drinking, 52% less likely to skip school and 33% less likely to hit someone.

Get arrested
Receive food stamps or welfare

From 1989 to 1991, the Quantum Opportunities Program evaluating the results of mentoring disadvantage teens. The study also found that those students who had participated in a mentoring program were less likely than their peers to get arrested, or receive food stamps/welfare.

Ever carry weapons
Have sex with more than one partner

Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine (April 2000) studied adolescents receiving medical care by physicians in a suburban community-based teaching hospital. The young people, who had adult mentors, were less likely than their peers to ever carry weapons, use illegal drugs in the past 30 days, smoke more than five cigarettes a day, or have sex with more than one partner in the past six months.

For more information about mentoring or to become a mentor please click here and submit your contact information.