Mentoring at the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation extends beyond being a positive influence for our youth – it guides them through their emotional, cognitive, and personal development. Through intentional meetings, mentors have the potential to challenge negative beliefs in our youth, assist them in understanding and regulating emotions, problem solving, and reaching their goals.
Mentors also help kids become stronger when facing tough times. They act like a shield, showing kids how to use their strengths to overcome challenges. In positive youth development, mentoring helps kids learn important traits such as caring for others, identifying passions, feeling confident, making connections, having good character, and being a good student. Students who participate in mentoring are 92% more likely to volunteer regularly in their community!
Mentoring becomes a catalyst for inspiring future educational aspirations. Youth involved in mentoring programs are 55% more likely to set their sights on attending higher education.
These relationships play a crucial role in identity development for youth. Recognizing individual needs for students, MWYF prioritizes intentional matching strategies and additional training to bridge diverse backgrounds. Mentors serve as vital support systems for youth navigating various aspects of identity development. This support helps kids figure out who they are, whether it's about their culture, race, sexuality, or adapting to a new place. It's like having a friend who understands and helps them through different parts of growing up.
Our mentors’ commitment to our youth not only shapes individual lives, but also creates a ripple effect that positively influences communities at large as students enrolled in mentor programs are 130% more likely to hold a leadership position in their future. As students go through the mentoring program, the lasting effects of their positive development spreads through every aspect of their lives.
