There’s a mentoring gap in America that needs to be addressed.

According to research conducted by the Boston-based organization MENTOR, one in three young people (about 9 million total) grow up without someone outside their family to help give them guidance. And this trend can greatly affect outcomes. With a mentor, at-risk youth are 52 percent less likely than their peers to skip a day of school, 46 percent less likely to start using drugs, and 78 percent more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities.

These are important numbers to note during January’s National Mentoring Month celebration, especially in the lead-up to #ThankYourMentor Day on Jan. 30, an expression of gratitude to every person who has influenced our lives in positive ways by setting a strong example.

But, beyond these campaigns, how can funders move the needle when it comes to effective mentoring programs for youth? Which strategies show the most potential for impact? Consider these resources a starting point.

Learn

Ways to Support Young People in the Face of Trauma
MENTOR

Mentors are uniquely positioned to help young people process violence and other traumatic experiences by providing a space to express their emotions, ask for help and channel uncertain feelings into constructive action. This paper provides strategies that anybody can use to be an ally to young people in such situations.

The Power Of Female Mentorship And Fostering Women Leaders
Global Fund for Women

Discover the importance of cultivating the next generation of women leaders as Jasmeen Patheja discusses the Young Women’s Leadership Initiative and the significance of female mentorship.

The Benefits of Long-Term Mentoring for Foster Families
The Annie E. Casey Foundation

The nonprofit Friends of the Children aims to break the cycle of generational poverty by pairing professional mentors with kids who are involved in the child welfare system. In these cases, patience is a virtue.

Connect

How Mentoring Can Change Lives
TeamMates

Founded in 1991, the TeamMates Mentoring Program bonds adults and youth together in a school-based setting. Matches meet once a week at school during the academic year to do a craft, play board games, or just talk. Would connecting with a volunteer opportunity in this area be right for you?

One Organization’s Success in Online Mentoring
Christensen Institute

The upside of online mentoring is its unique ability to fill gaps in students’ networks. Brightside, a UK based organization, has refined the model. It’s worth examining the upsides and downsides to online connections — and whether they can stand up to face-to-face connections.

The Power Of Mentoring Relationships
MENTOR Washington

Mentoring relationships have several benefits that can help individuals gain new perspectives, listen actively and with empathy, try creative approaches, and increase flexibility.

Take Action

Fund for Children, Youth, and Families
Greater Washington Community Foundation

This fund seeks to invest in programs for the betterment of underserved young people and families across the greater Washington D.C. region, supporting organizations such as Collegiate Directions, which empowers students through higher education-focused counseling.

Give Adolescent Girls Voice, Choice, and Control
Stanford Social Innovation Review

This article details a framework for programs focused on empowering adolescent girls, such as Abriendo Oportunidades (Opening Opportunities) in Guatemala. Among the suggestions for community-based programs are creating safe spaces and mentorship opportunities.

Mentor Immigrants and Refugee Youth
MENTOR

This is a comprehensive resource that is designed to offer background information for promising program practices to build high-quality mentoring relationships for different categories of immigrant youth. This will help funders identify effective organizations worth the investment or start a mentorship themselves.