Unveiling the Life-Changing Effects of Mentorship: A Groundbreaking Study by BBBSA

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America's Groundbreaking Study on Mentorship

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) has recently released a comprehensive study demonstrating the long-lasting effects of mentorship on youth's education and social outcomes. Conducted in collaboration with renowned researchers from Harvard University and the U.S. Department of Treasury, this study leverages over 30 years of data, showcasing mentorship as a transformative, cost-effective intervention for reducing socioeconomic disparities.

Key Findings

The research highlights several remarkable impacts that mentorship has on youth:

1. Increased Earnings: Participants who benefited from mentoring experienced a 15% increase in earnings by the age of 25. The alignment between the income of mentored youth and their mentors suggests a substantial reduction in the socioeconomic gap.

2. Higher College Enrollment: Mentored youth are 20% more likely to attend college compared to their non-mentored peers, providing access to better career opportunities.

3. Improved Behavior: Within just 18 months of being mentored, youth reported fewer instances of absenteeism and school suspensions, indicating enhanced behavioral outcomes.

4. Healthier Social Connections: With strengthened social bonds and improved behaviors, mentored youth showed a reduced reliance on social service programs, contributing to positive impacts within society.

Artis Stevens, the President and CEO of BBBSA, expressed, "This landmark study validates what we've witnessed for over a century – mentorship is a powerful catalyst for breaking cycles of poverty and creating lasting socioeconomic change. Connecting young people with caring mentors not only transforms individual lives but serves as one of the most cost-effective investments we can make for the future of our country."

The research emphasizes that while traditional methods may suggest drastic changes in a youth's social environment for greater economic opportunity, community mentorship offers a lower-cost alternative with substantial benefits. At an annual program cost of approximately $2,000 to $3,000 per youth, the potential increase in lifetime earnings and corresponding tax revenue is projected to allow the government to recover these expenses within seven years.

Ginneh Baugh, Chief Impact Officer of BBBSA, added, "Investing in mentorship is investing in our future. Unlike traditional education-based interventions, mentorship addresses social and behavioral barriers that hinder disadvantaged youth."

Methodology

This study extends previous evaluations of mentorship by linking administrative data from BBBSA to tax records. It focuses on youth aged 10 to 14 who applied to BBBSA’s community mentoring programs in the early 1990s, examining diverse backgrounds, including 60% male and over half identifying as racial minorities. Most participants came from single-parent households or were in guardianship care.

Through this extensive research, BBBSA aims to reinforce its mission of creating and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships that enable youth to realize their potential. The organization, founded in 1904, remains the largest and most experienced youth mentoring body in the U.S., serving over 5,000 communities across all 50 states.

To unlock the potential of mentorship, visit www.bbbs.org. The findings of this groundbreaking study not only reveal the profound impact of mentorship programs but also underscore the necessity of continued investment in such initiatives to foster educated and responsible future generations.