The essay attempts to clarify real and potential implications of the new interest in volunteerism by examining the current movement to mentor young people who live in poverty. Mentoring is a specific form of volunteerism, one that focuses on the poor, involves middle class volunteers, and promotes personal relationships as an instrument for helping the disadvantaged. In discussing mentoring's rise as a movement, the essay considers factors that have led to the increased interest in mentoring, what can realistically be expected from mentoring programs that focus on one-to-one relationships, and broader implications of the mentoring movement for public policy. Various national, local, and corporate mentoring programs and projects are described, and common elements of mentoring are identified. Specific accomplishments that can be achieved through mentoring programs are noted, along with characteristics of and challenges to successful mentoring programs. 128 notes