Mentor Program

Guides for the Journey
 
Adult involvement in the lives of youth has gained widespread acceptance as a means to
prevent juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, school failures, negative personal
relationships and early involvement in the juvenile justice system. Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) provide a scientific evaluation of the value of mentoring to youth.
Young people in mentoring relationships were less likely to use drugs, more likely to attend and do better in school, and more likely to get along with family and peer members.
(Joseph Tierney and Jean Baldwin, Making a Difference: An Impact Study
of Big Brother Big Sisters, 1995)

Over two decades of research identifies basic principals that are foundational to successful programs for youth. Research and common sense agree that it is the presence of caring and committed adults that can make a strong difference in young people’s lives. Youth who are documented as resilient, those who are able to endure and difficult times, often state a connection with a caring adult as one factor in their success. (Emmy Werner Overcoming the Odds: High Risk Children from Birth to Adulthood, 1992)

Mentoring, counseling, teaching and coaching may all provide at risk youth with the knowledge and the support of a consistent, caring and mature adult to assist them as they mature to avoid delinquent and harmful activities, while learning to embrace prosocial, legal and productive attitudes, behaviors and activities. Mentors do not replace professionals or parents, but complement parents/legal guardians, professional clinicians, social workers, educators, youth workers and volunteers that work with young people.
A mentor is simply a trusted, caring adult who has consistent “one on one” time with a youth and whose goal is to assist the youth in positive growth and development.

JCS is proud to present this paid mentoring program to youth who may benefit from additional guidance and support. For some youth and parents, a mentor may be a good place to start, where counseling or therapy may not be desired or needed, but where additional support may be needed during a difficult period of an adolescent’s life.

Our mentors, whose experience, education, personal character and passion for helping youth, are of the highest caliber, provide youth with a guide for their journey.

Want to learn more or sign your child up for a mentoring session?

 Please call Juvenile Consulting Services, LLC at (949) 395-1085.