What are the benefits of mentoring-based programs like kids.now?
Parents play a central role in helping children build life-success skills, but they can’t do it alone. Adolescents are heavily influenced by outside sources and today’s youth —especially tweens — are facing more social pressures than any generation before them. Mentor programs, such as the kids.now program, offer kids another positive example in their lives. Mentoring-based programs are widely recognized as contributing to strong, safe and healthy communities. According to a June 2008 report from the Alberta Mentoring Partnership, youth involved in mentoring programs are less likely to start using drugs (46%) and alcohol (27%); have improved attitudes toward completing work; and have improved peer and family relationships. Involvement in mentoring has also been shown to lower school absenteeism, cut violent behaviour, and improve self-esteem. Parents whose children have been through the kids.now program confirm that their children have experienced improved self-confidence, better goal-
