Mentoring has been shown through research and evaluation studies to be an effective approach to reducing the complex problems that face our youth today. Mentoring is effective because of its strong link with the core or resiliency efforts.

Resiliency research shows that youth in potentially harmful and destructive environments as discussed above can emerge as positive and productive adults due to various factors that serve to negate or reverse the impact youth in risky situations. (Fostering Resiliency in Kids: Protective Factor’s in the Family, School, and Community, Far West Laboratory – Bernard)

In a study of the youth development program, Quantum Opportunities, a program with a mentoring component, the Program revealed that QOP members were more likely to be high school graduates (63% of members vs. 42% of control group and were less likely to drop out of school (23% drop out vs. 50% of control group> (Did the Program Work? A Report on the Post Secondary Outcomes and Cost-Effectiveness of the QOP Programs, Brandeis University, 1994)

Children involved in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program experienced a 52% reduction in school absenteeism as well as an improvement in school performance. Participants also felt better about their schoolwork and had higher GPAs than their counterparts who did not participate.

(Making a Difference: An Impact Study of Big Brothers/Big Sisters – Tierney and Grossman, 1995) A study of a school-based mentoring program (the Best Friends program) found that the pregnancy rate among participants was 1.1% as compared to 26% of their peers.

Also, only 14% of participants had experienced sexual intercourse as compared to 73% of their peers. (Evaluation of the Best Friends Program, Doctoral Dissertation – Rowberry, 1995)

Research also indicates that students, who are successful academically, in addition to having supportive parents and teachers, usually have sustained access to other knowledgeable and caring adults. (The Role of Parents in Ensuring Education Success in School Restructuring Efforts – Clarke, 1989)