All parents expect their children to grow up healthy, happy and productive. They aspire to have children who have the skills to contribute to their own well-being and the well-being of their families and community. There is no magic wand to develop these abilities in children. Literally thousands of programs have been developed to support families in their efforts to help children develop into competent, confident, and caring young people with positive social connections and good character.

Children have the potential to succeed in life and contribute to society. However, not all children receive the support they need to thrive. By all estimates, a staggering 17.6 million young people (almost half of the population between the ages of 10 and 18) live in situations that put them at risk of not living up to their potential. Without the immediate intervention of caring adults, they could make decisions that undermine their future. The presence of caring adults who offer support, advice, friendship, reinforcement, and constructive role models has proven to be a powerful tool in helping young people realize their potential.

Mentoring is a structured and trusting relationship that links young people with caring people who offer guidance, support and encouragement aimed at developing the competence and character of the learner. A mentor is an adult who, along with parents, helps youth bring out the strengths they already have. They are good listeners, compassionate and teach children how to live an honorable life. A mentor is not a foster parent, a therapist, a probation officer, or a cool partner. The role of a mentor is not to “fix” young people, but to help them reach their full potential. Building competence, trust, connection, character, caring, and contribution to self and society helps turn a child into a productive and respectful adult in later years.

The main purpose of a mentor is to help a young person define individual goals and find ways to achieve them. Since each child’s expectations will vary, the mentor’s job is to foster the development of a flexible relationship that is responsive to the youth’s needs. Using influence and resources as decision makers, adults can bring new hope into the lives of young people through the power of mentorship. A mentor encourages positive choices, promotes high self-esteem, teaches respect for self and family, supports academic achievement, and introduces the youth to new ideas. Youth who regularly meet with their mentors are 46% less likely than their peers to start using illegal drugs and 27% less likely to start drinking alcohol (Public/Private Ventures Big Brothers Big Sisters study) . About 40% of adolescents’ waking hours are spent without any companionship or supervision. Mentors provide children and teens with a valuable place to spend their free time. Children learn to make well thought out decisions, follow through on their commitments, own up to their mistakes, and be accountable for their actions. By taking control of their lives, the children realize that they can achieve more than they ever dreamed of.

I encourage you to think about the mentors in your own life—a coach, teacher, or other caring adult—and take a few minutes to consider all the contributions they made to your life during your growing years. I know that throughout my own adult life and business career, I have been greatly rewarded for years of mentoring children and young adults into productive, happy individuals who are successful in life. Children need someone to believe in them. Many times, children lack the necessary attention to reinforce morals, values ​​and self-esteem on a day-to-day basis. It makes all the difference in the world during the moments of indecision in their lives to have that reinforcement. Mentoring turns children into young adults who are confident, determined, and self-aware.

Guardianship is recognized throughout the United States as an important part of a child’s life, and some states have already proposed legislation to the Senate. The Coalition of State Mentoring Associations has worked closely with Capitol staff and Senators to advocate for this legislation. The Guardianship for All Act of 2008 (S. 3200) is one of the most significant legislative actions to benefit guardianship. Please call; send emails or letters to your senators urging them to support the bill.