12 Facts on Mentor Impact
Proven to heighten the personal growth of at-risk children, our mentorship program is one of the incredible ways these kids are validated as individuals. We like to call our mentors the “heart and soul” of our organization, and the evidence is in the bonds the mentors and mentees have cultivated over the years. Attributable to the household, familial, and/or community trauma many of our kids have faced, City of Dreams has oriented its mission towards positive adult presence. Much of the concern lies with the observable angst some of the kids feel towards adults and the trauma-response that can result.
Right now, more than 20 of our kids are unmatched with a positive adult mentor through us. Our community is empowered by adults who can provide wisdom, validation, and a meaningful connection with our kids. If this sounds like you, read on.
Young adults who face an opportunity gap but have a mentor are 55% more likely to be enrolled in college than those who did not have a mentor.
Academic guidance goes a long way. Acknowledging the status of a child's education validates the work they may or may not be doing. Bouts of encouragement, celebrating successes, and working through failures can shift the trajectory of the child’s academic progress.
Eighty one percent of youth are more likely to participate in extracurricular activities.
Exposure to new experiences and new people improves a child’s comfortability with new encounters.
Mentored youth have a high likelihood of an enhanced self-esteem and sense of autonomy.
One of the many injustices of generational poverty is a deflated sense of self-worth. This is the last thing a child should feel. Having a supportive mentor has the power to strengthen self-worth and initiate a strong sense of autonomy
Mentees make healthier lifestyle choices.
Bayview has a strong presence of gang violence and drugs. The severe lack of positive guidance extends these factors into the lives of the kids. Mentors have the power to shift perspective, encourage alternative means of living, and promote an understanding of personal wellness.
The benefits of a mentoring relationship are not mutually exclusive. In our experience, both parties have reported back stories of meaningful, nonjudgemental, and progress-oriented relationships. Here are some more incredible facts.
