What is a mentor?
A mentor is a trusted adult friend with a long-term commitment to provide friendship, guidance and support to a youth. Through positive mentoring relationships, the youth will often overcome the difficulties they face and become successful, productive adults. 

Benefits of Long-term Mentoring: Studies have shown that most children and youth will experience at least some of the following benefits if they are engaged in a long-term, positive mentoring relationship.

• More confident about doing school work often resulting in higher grades
• Better school attendance and attitudes toward school
• Increased chance of going to college
• Less likely to start using drugs or alcohol and engage in problem behavior
• More trust in their parents
• Improved relationship and communication with parents
• Increased over-all sense of self-worth

The benefits of mentoring go both ways.  Mentors report that their mentoring experience improved their lives in meaningful ways.

• Mentoring will make you feel better about yourself for playing an important role in a child’s life.
• Mentoring teaches you about yourself in how you relate with others.
• It is shown to increase a mentor’s sense of responsibility and accomplishment and fosters better relationships with others.

It’s fun and keeps you feeling young!