4 Reasons to Start a Youth Mentorship Program at a Company
Are you looking for a way to give back to your community and express your company values? Starting a mentorship is beneficial for your company and the youth in your area. Here are four reasons why starting a youth mentorship program is a worthwhile endeavor.
1- Children Need Positive Role Models
Scientific studies conclude that children who have at least one parent or caring adult in their lives stay in school through graduation, avoid legal trouble, and have better relationships.
In the absence of a positive parental figure, children become more likely to drop out of school and get into trouble with law enforcement. Not every child has the luxury of living with their birth parents. Some children age out of foster care without ever being adopted into a loving family. Mentors can fulfill the positive parental figure role and provide a child with the guidance they need to succeed.
2- Children are Our Future
The children and teens of today will grow up to be the executives, leaders, and employees of tomorrow. Companies rely on members of future generations to become eligible employees so they can keep the organization running for many years. When you start a youth mentoring program, you are investing in their future and the future of your company. When you mentor an at-risk child, you will help guide them toward a secure future and lead them away from trouble.
3- Mentorship is Fulfilling
Mentorship helps create individuals who are more resilient, successful, and capable, but mentees aren’t the only ones who benefit. Mentors can experience fulfillment and satisfaction by helping their mentees grow into successful adults. When your employees take on mentees, they will be exposed to new ideas, cultures, religions, and backgrounds. The entire experience can help them become more compassionate, develop a global perspective, and improve their problem-solving skills. Starting a mentorship program will create better employees in the present and future.
4- It Shows the Community You Care
When you start a youth mentorship program, you express to your community that you care. Many companies get accused of not upholding their values and mission statement. Starting a mentorship program proves that you actually uphold the values you claim to stand for.
Giving back to the community humanizes your company and allows you to better connect with potential customers in your community. You shouldn’t volunteer if your only goal is to improve your image, but if your heart is in the right place, a favorable opinion of your company is a natural outcome.
Communities can have generations of broken families stuck in the same cycles, but your company can help change that. When you intervene in the life of just one child, you are making a positive impact on the community for many years to come. When you show you care, you give at-risk children hope and the courage to choose better for themselves and their future children. A youth mentorship program may be the smartest business investment you ever make.