Mentoring

As providers and advocates, our work is at its strongest when young people feel grounded in who they are, have a vision for where they are going, and have a network of support to help them get there.

A community of all ages

How do young people benefit from mentoring?

People are designed for relationship and community. During childhood and adolescence, connection, guidance, and belonging are essential for developing protective factors. When mentoring relationships are strong, young people are better positioned  to thrive, and become active members of their communities.

While the benefits of mentoring are well documented, 1-in-3 young people report not having a mentor in their lives—a “mentor gap” exists leaving young people increasingly disconnected.

How does Youth Collaboratory help?

Through research-driven models, training, and technical assistance, Youth Collaboratory helps communities create the conditions where youth can connect, contribute, and lead.

We believe:

  • Every young person deserves access to caring, supportive relationships.
  • All youth have the skills and abilities to connect with networks of support that include family, schools, and community.
  • Adults who work with youth should be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and resources to authentically connect and support them.
  • True community is found when generations come together in partnership to grow.

Grounded in a Positive Youth Development framework, our approach helps organizations create intentional spaces where young people can build assets, explore their strengths, and form lasting connections.

Expanding Mentoring and Relationship-Based Support

Youth Collaboratory helps programs leverage both formal and informal mentoring to strengthen relationships and broaden networks for young people. From national mentoring networks to specialized support, we build the connections that help youth grow and belong.

Grounded in evidence-based practice, Youth Collaboratory’s Mentoring+ (M+) program increases protective factors of youth that will foster resiliency. M+ is an affiliate model, providing training, coaching, and support to chapters throughout the country. Since 2012, Youth Collaboratory’s structured, standalone mentoring program has been implemented through M+ chapters in 35 states, collectively serving 6,400 youth.

As the operator  of the  Mentoring Children of Prisoners (MCP) Support Center, Youth Collaboratory supported the development of enhanced mentoring practices for this population, focused on identifying and implementing promising practices, evidence-based training, and professional development for mentoring programs. Through the MCP Support Center, Youth Collaboratory provided hundreds of mentoring programs with tools and resources specific to this population.

Positive Outcomes in Mentoring (POM) identified promising and effective practices in mentoring with youth and families impacted by parental incarceration. This 5-year random control trial, funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), supported Youth Collaboratory in implementing practice enhancements in the key areas of mentoring focused on the unique needs, risk factors, and strengths of children of incarcerated parents.

As a result of this work, Youth Collaboratory developed and disseminated a range of tools to the field, including a series of 6 podcasts, training toolkits, technical assistance practices, templates, and other resources. The enhancements from this research project have also been included into our Mentoring+ model.

Let's Collab

Whether you’re looking for support to meet program activities or to develop an innovative idea, we are here to assist you in leveling up your capacity and skill set. Explore these steps to see what's right for you: