The Impact of Mentoring

Caring adults make a difference!

There is a vast amount of evidence supporting the positive academic and social impacts of having a caring adult in a child’s life. Mentoring provides a means for developing a relationship between a child and a caring adult at school.

Letting loose, Feeling vulnerable

The mentoring relationship is different than a parent-child or teacher-student relationship, which in some ways allows students to feel free to be themselves, have fun, and develop a strong bond with their mentor. Starting a mentor relationship can, however, make even the most seasoned youth workers a bit uneasy. Mentors who are teachers have described the mentor-mentee relationship as very different from the relationships they have with a whole classroom of students. Both mentors and mentees may feel vulnerable at times or have expectations of themselves or the other person in the mentoring relationship.

The Relationship Cycle

Throughout a mentoring relationship, the two participants experience the ongoing relationship cycle: starts with a honeymoon, moves into a testing phase, and levels out into a trusting relationship with consistency, training, and support. Despite ups and downs, mentors and mentees are having a great time together in our program, and it works!

Why Mentoring for Success?

In 2009 less than one-third of San Francisco secondary school students scored high on supportive school environmental factors such as caring adult relationships and opportunities for meaningful participation.

Additionally:

  • 7.7% of San Francisco Unified School District's (SFUSD) students are chronically or habitually truant
  • at 21%, San Francisco's high school drop-out rate exceeds that of other counties in our region
  • African American and Latino students are over-represented in truancy, suspension, and drop-out data

Mentoring For Success Impact

Improved success in school

  • 40% of students improved their academic performance 86% said that their mentor helps them do better in school

"I am doing better in school because of my mentor."

Improved Attendance

  • 48% of students decreased their number of unexcused absences

"It feels safe, and it is nice to have someone to have fun with."

Caring Relationships

  • 77% of matches were sustained for a full 12 months 85% expressed that they like to meet with their mentor

"They are dependable and can help you with school work."

Research Base 

Mentoring For Success is a research-based program built on the well-known successes of The National Mentoring Center and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

School-based mentoring programs...

  • Reduce school absences
  • Improve overall academic performance Increase college participation
  • Improve attitudes and behavior in relation to school
  • Reduce drug and alcohol use (especially among minority youth)
  • Reduce the likelihood of hitting others
  • Reduce the likelihood of committing misdemeanors or felonies
  • Enhance positive attitude toward elders and toward helping
  • Improve parental relationships and support from peers

This page was last updated on April 5, 2023