Mentoring: Saving At-Risk Youth

 

By Mr. Lynn Johnson

This article was originally published on April 14, 2016.

Today’s youth are the hope of a new generation, but what happens if at an early age they fall victim to a culture and/or lifestyle that leaves them at-risk of failure. Whether rich or poor, our society is plagued with traps that are disguised as treasures that include racial discrimination, prescription drug abuse and pornography in television and main stream media.

These traps have devastating effects on children, particularly when they do not have the guidance to know the difference between a trap and a treasure. Many urban youth are witnessing and living through something called the “normality of poverty,” in which case everyday life involves crime, violence, gangs or a prison institution mentality. This is the society that youth today see every day. It is a reality and a sad fact that we must accept as part of our daily lives.

What can we do to lessen the effects that society’s traps have on our youth? Saving at-risk youth by mentoring may just be the answer. It may not eradicate the problem at once, but mentoring can make a huge difference in the life of a child. It is a way to reintroduce a positive activity by a responsible adult outside the regular home environment. Children who are mentored while growing up are unlikely to succumb to using illegal drugs, to start depending on alcohol, and unlikely to miss out school. If we incorporate mentoring at home, school and church, it can help significantly in decreasing the cause and effect of poor academic performance, which leads to increased high school drop-out rates.  

At-risk children badly need the guidance and friendship that youth mentors give. A child will definitely yearn for adult support when faced with parent’s divorce, family heartbreaks, and financial troubles. These children need mentoring with their family problems, school work, peer pressure or just someone who would listen and give an unwavering support. 

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Source: LinkedIn