Why Mentoring Matters:

• When young people are mentored well, 98% stay in school
• When young people are mentored well, 98% do not become teen parents
• When young people are mentored well, 85% do not use drugs
• When young people are mentored well, 98% avoid gang participation
• 59% of mentored teens get better grades
• 81% of teens feel that talking with adults helps reduce teen pregnancy
• 53% of students credit mentors with improving their ability to avoid drugs
• 27% of mentored youth are less likely to begin using alcohol, and 52% are less likely to skip school
• Mentoring enhances many aspects of young people's social and emotional development
• Participating in mentoring promoted positive social attitudes and relationships
• A five year study sponsored by Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada found that children with mentors were more confident and had few behavioral problems.  Girls in the study were four times less likely to become bullies than those without a mentor and boys were two times less likely
• Overall, youth participation in mentoring relationships experience:
  • positive academic returns
  • Better school attendance
  • Increased chance of going on to higher education
  • Better attitudes towards school

Qualities WRL's Mentors Possess:

We R Listening's mentors possess proven qualities needed to influence and direct the path of our youth including:  

1. We are supportive and we encourage youth.

2. We are active listeners who listen first and speak afterwards.

3. We push youth just enough to get results that they can be proud of.

4. We have a genuine interest in youth and value their ideas.

5. We encourage self decision-making and don't judge.

6. We provide perspective and different view points.

Information Credits:

www.nationalcaresmentoringmovement.org

Psychology Today, The Moment of Youth - Helping teens believe in themselves by Marilyn Price-Mitchell, Ph.D.

www.childrenunitingnations.org