Mentoring Impact
Why become a mentor?
Mentoring, at its core, guarantees young people that there is someone who cares about them, assures them they are not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges and makes them feel like they matter. Research confirms that quality mentoring relationships have powerful positive effects on young people in a variety of personal, academic, and professional situations. Ultimately, mentoring connects a young person to personal growth and development, and social and economic opportunity. Yet at least one in three young people will grow up without this critical asset.
At least 1 in 3 young people will grow up without a mentor.
92%
more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities.
74%
of those who had a meaningful mentor say that person contributed significantly to their success later in life.
Youth With a Mentor Are:
75%
more likely to have held a leadership position in a club or sports team.
Adults who were mentored as youth report long-lasting impact…
69%
of young adults say that this key relationship has helped them with issues related to their education.
22%
more likely to have experienced a strong sense of belonging while growing up.
58%
say their mentor has supported their mental health.
Mentoring provides meaningful connections that impact the people involved and influence their lives at home, at work, and in their communities. For those who are being mentored, it is linked to improved academic, social and economic prospects. For those who are mentoring, the relationship can build leadership and management skills, expand a mentor’s professional network, and provide an empowering opportunity to give back to the community.
Why Mentoring Matters Right Now
The Who Mentored You? study found that 1.8 million young people have grown up with virtually no adult support.
Today’s 18-to-21-year-olds express unmet mentoring needs around depression, anxiety, and suicidality at four times the rate of Baby Boomers and more than double the rates for Millennials. They are even 47% more likely than their slightly older 22-to-24-year-old peers to cite mental health challenges as the 67% of today’s 18-to-21-year-olds can remember a time where they needed a mentor but didn’t have one. Youth who identify as BIPOC and those from lower income levels express significantly higher rates of unmet mentoring need.
54% of young people who wished they had a mentor at a key time were dealing with a serious issue or major challenge (including family issues, mental health challenges, substance abuse, or physical or sexual abuse).