Here at Blue Heart, we understand the mentoring benefits that comes along with the interaction of both the child and adult.  And  how crucial that guidance and support  is in order for the child to thrive. It’s especially important for minority young boys who may not have the advantages they deserve.

The truth is that mentoring relationships benefit everyone involved; the child and the adult. They help kids while they’re young, but the benefits can linger long after the mentor and mentee part ways.

Let’s look at some of the specific benefits that people in mentoring relationships can expect.

Benefits of Mentoring for The Child

Kids who have mentors experience a multitude of benefits both while in the mentoring relationship and after it ends. Here are some of the most important ways that kids benefit from mentoring.

Stronger Relationships

Kids who build relationships with mentors learn how to set healthy boundaries and build relationships.

By spending time with an adult outside of their families, they improve their communication and interpersonal skills – both of which help with relationships in childhood and adulthood.

Higher Self-Esteem and Confidence

Many kids struggle to maintain healthy self-esteem and feel confident about themselves. A good mentoring relationship can help them see themselves accurately and recognize their strengths and accomplishments.

They’ll carry their newfound confidence with them to school – and beyond.

Reduced Risk of Addiction

Research shows that kids in mentoring relationships are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol later in life. The caring relationships they build with mentors help them avoid high-risk behavior by making them less susceptible to unhealth influences.

Instead, they stay focused on school

 

Improved Behavior at Home and at School

Kids who live in underserved communities or who don’t have a stable adult relationship in their lives often struggle with their behavior in school and at home.

Having a mentor helps them learn how to control themselves and behave property in a wide variety of settings.

 

Lower Dropout Rates

The US Department of Education reports that while 83% of high school students graduate, dropping out is still a big concern for minority students and those who underserved communities. Working with a mentor can help kids who are at risk of dropping out focus on school.

The mentoring relationship is focused on maintaining good grades, graduating, and helping kids become productive adults.

Better School Performance

Kids who don’t have stable adult relationships in their lives often struggle to perform well in school. Their ability to focus may be impaired and they may not have the guidance they need to stay on track and do their homework.

Mentoring helps kids focus on their schoolwork and gives them the loving guidance they need to be good students.

Higher College Enrollment Rates

Sometimes, disadvantaged children don’t consider college as an option for a variety of reasons, including financial need.

A healthy mentoring relationship can help kids see college as a viable goal, teach them about their financial and educational options, and guide them toward making the best choices for the future

Healthier Lifestyle Choices

Kids who need mentors sometimes lack adult guidance in areas of life that go beyond the classroom.

Mentors can help kids learn how to make healthy choices for themselves now and in the future by modeling responsible behavior.

Benefits of Mentoring for Adults

While many mentoring programs focus – as they should – on the benefits of mentoring for kids, adults benefit from mentoring kids too.

Here are some of the most important benefits that our mentors experience when they participate in our program.

Understanding of Children

Some of the mentors in our program are parents, but many are not. One of the biggest benefits they report is that mentoring helps them gain a deeper understanding of children.

In turn, they end up improving the relationships with the children in their lives because of the time they spend with their mentees.

Personal Fulfillment

As a working adult, it can be difficult to find things that provide a sense of personal accomplishment and fulfillment. Mentoring allows adults to give something of themselves in a way that’s both selfless and deeply fulfilling.

Mentors have the privilege of watching their mentees’ lives improve as a result of the help, friendship, and guidance they provide.

 

Improved Self Esteem

Kids aren’t the only ones who experience an improvement in their self-esteem as a consequence of being in a mentoring relationship. Mentors do too!

In fact, many of our mentors tell us that being a mentor helped them see their skills and accomplishments in a new light as the mentoring relationship progressed.

New Relationships

Mentors often connect with one another in the course of training and participating in our program. In addition to building relationships with the at-risk youth they mentor, our mentors also benefit by meeting other adults with an interest in changing the lives of children.

Improved Interpersonal Skills

Building a solid and caring relationship with the young boy you’re mentoring requires patience, resolve, and a lot of love. The adults who participate in our mentoring program learn how to communicate with kids who may be reluctant to trust them.

They also learn how to respect kids’ boundaries, build trust, and form lasting relationships. These are all skills that carry over to their personal lives and can help them strengthen relationships with their families, friends, and colleagues.

Perspective

One of the biggest changes our mentors report after they’ve mentored a child is that they have a new understanding and perspective about the difficulties disadvantaged young boys face in our society – and how those issues can follow them into adulthood.

That perspective also gives them a new appreciation for the advantages or even the disadvantages they’ve had in their own life and sparks a desire to bring about the kind of societal change that can truly help the young men they mentor.

Conclusion

Mentoring relationships provide underserved children with stable, caring, adult relationship they can depend on.

Kids who work with mentors are more likely to perform well in school, graduate, and go on to attend college and have successful, healthy lives. Mentors gain perspective, self-esteem, and a true sense of accomplishment that comes from knowing they’ve made a difference in the world.

If you would like to experience the benefits of mentoring our youth, click here to contact us