Indicator: 20 - Youth Mentored

Why This Is Important

Young people who are involved in effective mentoring programs are less likely to engage in risky behaviors. Empirical evidence demonstrates that the mentoring relationship is a significant protective factor for both the person mentoring and the person receiving the attention of the mentor. A national study conducted by Public/Private Ventures for Big Brothers and Big Sisters (1995) showed that youth with mentors:

• were less likely to begin using alcohol and other illegal drugs;
• improved school attendance and performance, and attitudes towards completing school work; and
• improved peer and family relationships.

Communities that promote positive relationships among youth and between youth and adults will engage more young people in mentoring programs. There are a variety of mentoring programs across Maine implemented both in schools and in community youth-serving organizations. Some programs are supported with federal and state funding. However, there is no single reliable data source that tracks that number of young people participating in mentoring programs. The Maine Mentoring Partnership, a statewide nonprofit made up of funders, providers and policy makers, was established in 1998 and conducted an informal survey in 1998 that was able to identify 3,000 Maine youth involved in mentoring programs.

This indicator was selected for Maine Marks because mentoring as an intervention is such a highly valued activity. The belief is that through effective mentoring programs, young people will experience nurturing relationships and reduce the likelihood of risk-taking behavior.