Professional Mentoring: Investing in the Future by Giving Back to Youth
摘要
This chapter describes the genesis and components of The Give Back program, a multilayered professional mentoring intervention designed to give vulnerable youth the additional social support they need to not only complete their secondary education but also the additional financial and social supports they need to complete the post-secondary education that is required to achieve their personal goals. The program includes coach selection, training, and support; youth identification and enrollment; long-term, goal-directed mentoring; scholarships for trade school, community college, and/or 4-year college or university educations; and other forms of student support. The program collects data on an ongoing basis to help understand and improve program processes and outcomes. The program aspires to provide the supports needed to help youth become the next generation of leaders. The author posits that the key element in meeting this goal is the quality and stability of the professional mentor workforce, and the accrued knowledge and skills that these mentors bring to their work with youth.