Become a Mentor and Change Two Lives
Mentoring benefits both the child and the adult. Adolescence is a difficult time in a child’s life. It’s so important that during this time of turbulence, a child has a responsible and caring adult to help guide them. Long after both the mentor and mentee have parted ways, there often are positive and permanent changes for both the adult mentor and the youth mentee. Becoming a mentor means that you have the opportunity to positively affect a child throughout their entire life time.
What are the benefits from mentoring for the child?
Healthier Relationships – First and foremost youth, especially at risk youth, learn what healthy relationships should look like. They learn to set boundaries with mentors and improve several vitally important social skills. These social skills include, communication, patience and trust building. All of which are important now and in their personal and professional relationships in the future.
Confidence and Self-Esteem – During adolescence many children, both male and female, struggle with confidence and self-esteem issues. This can lead to various destructive outcomes including drug use, combative behavior, eating disorders and even suicide. Supportive and caring adults, whether family members or others from the community such as a mentor, can help children recognize their own accomplishments and strengths. Adult positive role models can also help a youth acquire strong moral values, interpersonal social development and even occupational skills.
Reduction in drug abuse and alcoholism – Studies have shown that children who participate in mentoring programs or otherwise have strong positive role models are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. A strong relationship with a caring adult helps high risk youth make better decisions and avoid high risk behavior. Adult positive role models, such as with a mentor, also helps insulate at risk youth from peer pressure which makes them less vulnerable to negative influences.
Better academic performance and lower dropout rates – Children who have stable supportive adults in their lives do better in school. They are able to focus and participate more in their classes. They turn in more homework of higher quality and generally have better grades. These children also have much lower incidences of dropping out.
Higher Enrollment rates – Children who have a supportive role model, especially role models who have either gone to college or a trade school, have higher instance of enrollment in institutions of higher learning such as in college or trade schools. Also, the chances of the child completing either college or trade school, increases.
What are the benefits of mentoring for the adult?
Increase sense of personal fulfillment – Adults who mentor often feel a sense of personal fulfillment and an increase in self-esteem. Also, by teaching their skills to some else, mentors improve upon those skills. This helps mentors feel a sense of accomplishment.
New Relationships – Becoming a mentor opens the door to new relationships. Not only the relationship between them and their mentee, but with other likeminded volunteers who also want to help children.
Improved skills working with young adults – Working with children requires a special set of skills. Many of those skills can only be acquired by working directly with young people. If you plan on a career working with youth, volunteering in a mentoring program is an excellent way to gain valuable experience.
Becoming a mentor is a wonderful opportunity to get involved and make a difference! You will not only make a lasting change in the youth you mentor, but also in yourself. Mentoring is an investment that will continue to pay off, both for the you and your mentee for many years to come. Become a mentor or volunteer today!
