COMMUNITY
The context where youth live can have a direct impact on their ability to thrive.
For example, research suggests that living near gun violence incidents can have negative impacts on youth’s wellbeing.
But we also know that one's community can provide protective factors for our youth through evidence-informed programming, such as mentoring.
Finally, keep reading to learn about how NY state is helping our young people exercise their power through civic engagement.
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In 2020 and 2021, over one-quarter of New York State adults with Black children in their households felt that their child lives in an unsafe community.
roughly one-fifth of those with Hispanic children also reported feeling the same.
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Mentoring's protective impact
Research shows that mentoring is one of the biggest protective factors in positive youth development, reducing the risk of negative self-esteem, poor academics, and risky behaviors.
Research shows that mentoring is one of the biggest protective factors in positive youth development, reducing the risk of negative self-esteem, poor academics, and risky behaviors.
Data from 2016-2019 showed that 96% of New York State teens had at least one adult mentor in the community who gave them guidance or advice, compared to 89% Nationally.
The YJI team, in partnership with NYS DCJS, has developed and continuously updates a Mentoring Dashboard featuring youth mentoring programs in New York State.
Programs are organized by County, Program Goal, Targeted Age Range, Delivery Style, and Program Length.
Wanna learn more?
JANUARY IS NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH.
IN JANUARY 2024, THE NEW YORK STATE YOUTH JUSTICE INSTITUTE HOSTED A WEBINAR ON YOUTH- INITIATED MENTORING >>>
Dr. Renée Spencer presented her research into Youth-Initiated Mentoring, a novel process in which youth identify an adult in their lives to serve as their mentor.
Civic Engagement as an empowering tool for youth
