The Promise and Challenge of Mentoring High-Risk Youth

Findings from the National Faith-Based Initiative

By Public/Private Ventures

March 2, 2004

Summary

This report leverages the experiences of four faith-based organizations that developed mentorship programs aimed at supporting older, high-risk youth. Readers will explore data-driven findings, moves to make and challenges to consider when designing similar programs that connect caring adults with youth whose lives have veered off track.  

Table of Contents

Key Takeaway

Faith-based adults + older, high-risk youth = a different type of mentoring model

This report explores the work of four sites — Bronx, Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Baton Rouge — that developed mentoring programs as part of the National Faith-Based Initiative for High-Risk Youth. While the design and service offerings differed across the four programs, they all sought to address two key issues: 1) the inappropriate faith-sharing by the mentors; and 2) the greater needs — and greater barriers to successful development — facing high-risk youth.

Key Findings & Stats on Mentoring Older, High-Risk Youth

Statements on Mentoring Older, High-Risk Youth