As we celebrate National Mentoring Month with the goal to spread awareness of mentoring and celebrate the power of supportive and meaningful mentor relationships, there’s no doubt how much of an impact mentoring makes on both the mentor and the mentee.
According to Mentor, young adults with a mentor are:
- 55% less likely than their peers to skip a day of school
- 78% more likely to volunteer regularly
- 90% more interested in becoming a mentor
- 130% more likely to hold leadership positions
What could be better than that? These connections stay with mentees throughout their lives in their community, at their homes, and in their workplace and benefit the mentor as much as they benefit the mentee.
Mentoring Benefits for the Mentee
Enhanced Education
According to youth.gov, youth who have mentors earn higher grades than youth who don’t.. Especially in school-based mentoring programs, students completed more of their assignments, turned in better work, and performed better academically, compared to youth who weren’t in those programs. Additionally, youth who are mentored have fewer absences from school.
A mentor leaves an impression on every part of their mentee’s life, especially when it comes to education, encouraging their mentee to perform well in school and work hard.
Improved Behavior
The Blue Heart Academy found that youth who are a part of underserved communities and may struggle with their actions at home have had improved behavior when they work with a mentor. By acting as a role model that youth can look up to, mentors introduce youth to new experiences and share positive values, which in return, help youth to avoid negative behaviors and achieve success, according to the Social Work License Map.
Especially if youth don’t have someone that can support them in their life currently, a mentor acts as a person they aspire to be like.
Increased Skills
Mentoring opens up youth to a variety of skills that they may not have learned before. Some of these skills include:
- Learning how to set healthy boundaries and build relationships
- Improving their communication
- Gaining self-confidence
- Advocating for themselves
- Developing a professional career
And more. By working closely with their mentees, mentors are able to help them learn skills that will benefit them for years to come in every part of their life.
Mentoring Benefits for the Mentor
Improved Interpersonal Skills
As The Blue Heart Foundation shares, mentoring requires a lot of patience, commitment, and love, which may push mentors to step out of their comfort zone a bit in order to be the person that their mentees need. By working with youth, mentors are able to get a better understanding of their tendencies and can adjust accordingly, helping them to communicate with youth who may be reluctant to trust them. These skills can also include leadership and management skills, helping mentors to become a better leader and role model, both with their mentee and in their career and personal life.
Increased Self-Esteem and Self-Fulfillment
Mentoring is no easy feat, but it’s absolutely a rewarding experience. When a mentor is able to build a close relationship with their mentee and see the positive impacts that their mentoring has on the youth, it brings a sense of pride and fulfillment that’s difficult to find elsewhere. Especially if they view mentoring as a challenge at the start, being able to serve as a guide and friend that mentees look up to boosts mentors’ confidence.
Additionally, Western Connecticut State University shares the benefits of volunteering and community service for those involved:
- It increases your social and relationship skills.
- It combats depression.
- It helps you stay physically healthy.
What could be better than feeling good about giving back to the community in some way?
Expanded Network
Mentoring youth means not only building relationships with them but also the other mentors that may be involved in the program who share a similar interest in changing the lives of youth. If you’re new to an area, becoming a mentor is an excellent way to meet new people.
Our mentors often share that their relationships with their mentee feels less like a mentor / mentee match and more like a friendship.
Support PYD’s Mentoring Program
Become a Mentor
Do you feel inspired to work with our youth with disabilities? We are always seeking new mentors who can help our youth live with dignity and pride in who they are and lead self-determined lives filled with purpose. If you would like to become a mentor with PYD, please contact us.
Make a Donation
Did you know that mentoring is entirely free for both our mentors and mentees, thanks to generous donations from supporters like you? Please consider making a donation today to help us build a more inclusive world.
Attend Mentor Appreciation Night
Our 21st Annual Mentor Appreciation Night will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 6 pm – 8 pm. We will come together in person, for the first time in three years, to honor the commitment and dedication of our remarkable community. There will be entertainment, awards, food, and beverages at this free event, which is sure to be engaging, entertaining, and full of celebration! All are welcome to join us at our new offices located at 89 South St, Boston, MA.
Mentoring benefits all who are involved, especially our youth. With your support, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of youth with disabilities and make a difference in your life as well.