Mentoring

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While mentoring is beneficial to all youth, we use our resources to focus on youth who are facing significant challenges in their personal, social, and academic lives, and are least likely to have additional positive adult role models in their lives. All youth must be referred by a professional in the community that knows the child's case, most commonly school counselors, therapists, and community agencies.

Children between the ages of 7 and 17 are eligible to participate in the one-to-one program conducted by Partners for Youth.  Participation is voluntary, on the part of the child, and must be approved by the child’s parent or guardian, in the form of written consent.  In order to be eligible for the program, a child must display/ meet two or more of the following characteristics (exceptions are made but must be approved by the Partners Screening Committee):

• Demonstrates anti-social behavior
• Demonstrates risk-taking sexual behavior
• Is depressed or has suicidal tendencies
• Is a victim of neglect or physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
• Has experienced repeated difficulties in school
• Family has significant drug or alcohol issues
• There is a history of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse in the immediate family
• A family member has been incarcerated
• Is lacking one or both significant parental role models
• The family is economically disadvantaged 
• Family is learning English as a second language
• Has exhibited delinquent behavior 
• Is a drug and/or alcohol user
• Has fathered/mothered a child