Youth thrive with support from caring mentors. When they feel safe, they can be themselves. When they’re listened to, they’re more likely to speak up. When there are adults in their lives besides parents or guardians who believe in them, the world feels full of possibilities.
January is National Mentoring Month, the perfect time to appreciate mentors and give young people more opportunities to form meaningful relationships with caring adults.
At schools, on sports teams, in community programs, and at Boys & Girls Clubs, kids and teens can find supportive mentors who listen and guide without judgment.
Did You Know? Kids at Boys & Girls Clubs are more comfortable talking about personal topics with Club staff than school staff, such as personal struggles (72%), personal identities (74%), and personal goals (84%).
To help you learn about the power of mentorship, we put together a list of 4 ways youth benefit from having mentors:
Build confidence
Mentors play an important role in helping youth build confidence. A mentor’s encouragement and belief in a young person’s abilities can help them overcome self-doubt and recognize their own worth. Mentors will also be there when youth face setbacks, showing them how failing allows us to learn and grow.
Mentors give youth consistency. When kids and teens know they have a mentor who always shows up, through both achievements and struggles, they are empowered to step outside their comfort zones and take on more challenges. Youth with a mentor are 75% more likely to hold a leadership position in a club or sports team.
Achieve academic success
Mentors offer personalized support by helping with homework, setting study schedules, and celebrating academic achievements. According to Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth Outcomes Initiative, young people who meet regularly with a mentor are 40% more likely to graduate on time and 55% more likely to enroll in college.
Beyond helping youth improve their grades, mentors inspire a love of learning in and out of the classroom. 75% of high school graduates do not feel prepared to make college or career decisions. Mentors show students the connection between education and future opportunities, helping them see school as a stepping stone to achieving a great future.
Improve mental health and well-being
Many young people are struggling with their mental health. In 2023, 40% of teens in the U.S. experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mentors provide a safe and supportive space for youth to express their thoughts and emotions.
Building a meaningful connection and being present in a youth’s life helps lower their stress and anxiety. Mentors can give advice, share their own life experiences, and even just offer a listening ear to help kids and teens who are navigating life’s challenges.
According to MENTOR, 58% of adults who were mentored as youth say their mentor supported their mental health. A study from MDRC found that one of the strongest benefits of mentoring is that it reduces youth’s depressive symptoms.
Discover and work toward goals
Mentors help youth identify their passions and transform them into achievable goals. Through in-depth conversations and personal guidance, mentors encourage youth to dream big while equipping them with the tools they need to succeed.
Trying to achieve a goal can feel overwhelming, especially when kids don’t know where to start. Mentors help youth determine the steps necessary to achieve their dreams and will be there to encourage them along the way. 74% of adults who had a meaningful mentor as a youth say their mentor contributed significantly to their success later in life.
Mentors also introduce young people to opportunities and possibilities they may not have encountered otherwise. By learning about new hobbies or potential careers, youth expand their horizons further than they ever would have imagined.
For youth, having a meaningful relationship with a mentor creates effects that will last a lifetime. As families, educators, and community members, we all have the power to support and encourage mentorship. At Boys & Girls Clubs, we’re connecting youth with caring mentors every single day.
