Program Impacts:
Research shows that providing youth with consistent adult support through well-supervised, frequent meeting, long-term mentoring relationships improves grades, family relationships, and helps prevent initiation of drug and alcohol use (Tierney and Grossman, 1995).
To our credit, an 18-month study of eight BBBSA affiliates found that when compared with a control group of youth on a waiting list for a match, youth in the mentoring program were:
- 46% likely to start using drugs
- 37% less likely to lie to their parent(s)
- 27% likely to start using alcohol
- 32 % less likely to hit someone
- 52% less likely to skip school
- Had better attitudes toward and performance in school
- Had improved peer and family relationships.
This study, and many others, demonstrates that children who are mentored demonstrate significantly lower levels of problem behavior, lower levels of substance abuse, increased self-confidence and self-control, and an increase in attachments to school and families.
These facts make BBBS a critical service in the community through our mentoring programs. The promoting of a strong bond between youth and adult mentors, the development of a positive social orientation and the development of healthy belief and clear standards within the community are but a few of the protective factors and family support services introduced by this progra
