The youth of a country are its future assets. Therefore, the fact that countless children, teenagers, and young adults are dropping out of schools and colleges or getting involved in risky behavior is rather alarming. But, with the right mentorship programs, it's possible to bring in a change in the life of the at-risk youth. This, in turn, can help strengthen the future of the country as well as of the world.
As per one survey, around one-third of America’s youth claimed to have never had any adult mentor while they were growing up - and this includes not only professional mentors but any other adult who could have played a similar role. In the absence of the latter, structured youth mentoring can help bring positive outcomes for at-risk kids and teenagers.
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Mentoring programs, simply speaking, help connect qualified mentors with young people who need their guidance. The main goal of such programs is to provide a role model to the mentees who can impact their lives positively by providing them with emotional and academic support.
The mentees consist of the youth who are perceived to be at risk, i.e., who are more vulnerable to dropping out of school, substance abuse, poor academic results, etc. A mentoring relationship fills in the absence of a supportive adult in their lives, encouraging an overall positive development.
Restoration Project Foundation’s mission is to renew hope through education, restore confidence through providing resources and redeem the future through mentor relationships that can help all children and youth in our communities thrive.
Youth mentoring programs need to be well-planned and structured to be effective. The first step here is to recruit suitable mentors who have the required knowledge and skills to guide young people or train them. Secondly, to ensure a healthy and fruitful mentoring relationship, the process of matching mentors and mentees is based on common interests or backgrounds.
Youth mentorship programs that have clearly-defined expectations and goals have been found to have greater chances of success. In addition, the mentoring relationships are constantly monitored and supported through constructive advice, training, and problem-solving. The outcomes on the at-risk mentees are evaluated, and the programs are modified depending on their individual needs.
Youth mentoring relationships are based on mutual trust and are effective in helping kids, teenagers, and young adults reach their full potential. Some of its key benefits include the following:
The positive effects of youth mentoring programs have been widely accepted worldwide, with numerous studies also further establishing its effectiveness. For example, according to a survey, around 76% of students with a mentor intend to pursue higher education. In contrast, the figures are much lower (56%) for those who don't have a mentor.
Education is the key to a brighter future for today’s youth, and the Restoration Project Foundation endeavors to help enhance their academic abilities through proven mentoring programs. Our goal is to connect disadvantaged children with the right mentor who can help their overall development.
