Dr. Lorenza Pharrams is a motivational speaker, mentor, leadership specialist, trainer of educators, and author of an at-risk book. In the following article, Dr. Lorenza Pharrams discusses the impact of mentorship programs for adolescents who may show behavioral problems, truancy, and low academic performance. Mentor programs exist for many different groups, but one of their most important demographics is young, vulnerable individuals. Mentorship programs can take many forms, but they all have the same overwhelmingly positive impacts on the youth individuals that participate in them. The benefits of mentoring for at-risk youth include the prevention of delinquent behavior, reductions in drug and alcohol use, improved self-esteem and self-worth, more positive attitudes, and participation in school, and more. Below, Dr. Lorenza Pharrams explores the beneficial impacts of mentorship programs for these young people in more detail.

Dr. Lorenza Pharrams on the Benefits of Mentoring

Mentorship programs have been gaining popularity over the years for all demographics; people with physical disabilities, mental health struggles, trauma from past experiences, etc. all have access to mentorship programs to improve their lives. At-risk youth are one of the largest populations to benefit from mentorship programs; the impacts are outlined below.

Prevention of Delinquent Behavior

Dr. Lorenza Pharrams says that many at-risk youth individuals already have a criminal record (for a felony or a misdemeanor) before they enter such a program. Studies have shown that mentorship dramatically reduces the rate of rearrests (or entirely prevents it) in many cases for a full two years after the mentorship ends; these programs are even more successful for youths with felony charges. The reasons for this behavior change are complex and will relate to the other impacts below. In broad strokes, mentorship programs provide kids with a stable, positive adult role model that encourages better behavior and decision-making.

Reduced Drug and Alcohol Use

Drug and alcohol use is a fairly common occurrence in the at-risk population. Some individuals use it as a way to escape their circumstances temporarily, others as a way to fit in with their peer group and beyond. Dr. Lorenza Pharrams explains that mentorship programs reduce drug and alcohol use for a number of reasons: they give kids a safe person to see who won’t pressure them to take part in those damaging habits, they help kids resist peer pressure, and they provide positive role models and social groups.

Improvements in Self-Esteem, Self-Worth, and Confidence

One of the most notable benefits of mentorship programs is their ability to instill confidence and promote more positive self-thoughts in at-risk kids. Many children growing up in poverty and marginalized communities feel that they don’t matter to anyone and don’t have anything to contribute to the world. Dr. Lorenza Pharrams says that working through a mentorship program with caring, dedicated teachers helps kids feel supported, appreciated, and meaningful. The improvements to their confidence, self-esteem, and self-worth will carry them through difficult times and set them up for a more successful life.

Positive Attitude Toward School

Mentorship programs have time and again proven themselves to be effective tools for bettering the education of young people. This comes in two forms. First of all, kids in a mentorship program will experience lower dropout rates and higher graduation rates than at-risk individuals that do not participate in these programs. Furthermore, Dr. Lorenza Pharrams notes that these young individuals become more motivated to work hard and do well academically. Plus, they become more engaged with school activities and bring more positivity to the school community.

Improved Relationships with Peers and Parents

As at-risk adolescents participate in mentorship programs, they are encouraged to build better relationships with their parents and peers at school. Dr. Lorenza Pharrams says that not only is this social aspect highlighted as an important life skill by the mentors, but the mentees are actually taught how to do this and will receive individualized advice that understands their unique circumstances. A more stable social circle is nothing but a positive for at-risk individuals.

Better Self-Control

One final impact of mentorship on the young, at-risk population in a community is better self-control, particularly in response to stressors in their life. Stress can come from many sources (predominately struggles in school or difficulties at home), and the kids that have a mentor learn how to handle these stresses and manage their behavior better than kids without a mentor as a resource.

Final Thoughts

Dr. Lorenza Pharrams explains that although mentorship programs cannot fix all of the problems at-risk youth individuals face on a daily basis, they offer a strong support system and a positive, healthy role model to help kids find a better path in life and improve their well-being.