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Young Leaders Mentoring Troubled Children

NCJ Number
156011
Journal
Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Problems Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1995) Pages: 31-33
Author(s)
S Schneider
Date Published
1995
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Traditional mentoring programs match a mature adult with an at-risk youth, and a mentoring organization in Washington, D.C., practices a creative variation of this traditional approach by training high school students to mentor troubled elementary school students.
Abstract
The Young Leaders Program draws its mentors from high school youths who themselves are being mentored. Working in teams, older youths help children plan and execute community service activities. Each team consists of one high school student and two elementary school children. Youths are selected to mentor based on their maturity, interpersonal skills, and willingness to make a voluntary commitment. Leadership, community service, and adequate funding are critical to the success of the mentoring program. The program has helped troubled students feel better about themselves and has improved their school performance.