Each week, through our e-newsletter and online, Christine Simon from Honest Growth, LLC, will be reaching out to families to help guide them on a path to stronger, healthier relationships as well as showcasing steps towards growing positive mental health for your kids and teens. Christine is local to Livingston County and available to work with you and your family.
This week she tackles the topic of "Why Youth Mentoring?"
WHY YOUTH MENTORING? This question has been asked many times when I tell people about my new chapter in life. As a teacher, I have sat in many parent meetings and listened to parents who are extremely concerned about their child. Their concerns include academics, social issues, internal struggles or even mental illness. As we sat there and developed a plan for the child’s success at school, I couldn’t help but wonder about the child when they left school to go home. Where was the help for the parents and child then?
I began to think about what I could do to help. My thoughts always came back to how much I enjoyed working with kids who were struggling in life. That is where I found joy in teaching. For me it has always been about the well being of the child and helping them through whatever life was throwing at them at the time. There is a rise in mental health issues and something needs to be done to change it.
As I started researching youth mentoring, I found numerous articles and research that have been conducted about the benefits of it. An article written on Youth.gov states, “Mentoring can help youth as they go through challenging life transitions, including dealing with stressful changes at home or transitioning to adulthood. Close, healthy, supportive relationships between mentors and mentees that last for a significant portion of time (i.e., more than one year) are central to success.” The main goal of youth mentoring is to provide a role model to the mentees who can impact their lives positively by providing them with support.
The benefits of youth mentoring are endless.
A mentorship can provide a pathway to:
- Healthier relationships and lifestyle choices
- Improved behavior at home and school
- Enhanced self esteem and self confidence
- Improved interpersonal skills
- Decreased likelihood of initiating drug and alcohol use
- Better academic achievements
- Individualized goal setting
- Developing self awareness and fostering passions
- Increased high school graduation rates
- Guiding towards healthier coping mechanisms.
One thing is clear to me. I made the right decision for my next career path. Youth mentoring can make a positive impact and I am determined to make a difference.
Christine Simon, Honest Growth LLC
For more about Christine, or to contact her to work with your child go to her website : HONEST GROWTH, LLC
For a greater understanding of youth mentorship, or to see if mentoring would work for your family, check out these articles recommended by Christine from Honest Growth.
Articles about Youth Mentoring
Benefits of Mentoring for Young People
What Is the 'Mentoring Gap,' and How Can Schools Help Close It?
95% of teachers say mentors make a difference for students
The Importance Of Mentoring Programs For Today's Youth
3 Reasons Why Every Teen Should Have a Mentor
