Volunteering your time to defend and empower a youth’s potential is one of the most meaningful things you can do. Unfortunately, many adults struggle with relating to modern youth and wonder how to do so in a way that will allow them to make a positive impact with the children and teens they volunteer with. Here, we’ll offer some examples of how to be a mentor for youth in today’s world.
The New Rules – How to Be a Mentor for Youth Today
Mentoring is something that has always been important and will continue to be crucial in the lives of children – especially those at risk. However, mentoring has changed in recent years from what it once was and the way it once looked. Mentors who have been working with children for decades are using new approaches and new techniques to reach today’s children – and it’s working.
Modern kids are introduced to technology almost from birth, so it only makes sense to involve technology in the way we reach kids in mentoring scenarios. Socialization is also extremely important since social skills have become harder to develop in this online era. Skills such as signing a name in cursive, tying shoes, or telling time may not be taught in schools today, and are great things to offer your mentored child during your time together.
These are all part of today’s mentoring approach – and great ways to make a difference in the life of a modern child.
Big Benefits – BBBS Participation
If you’re wondering how to be a mentor for youth in your area, one of the best ways is to participate in your local chapter of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. BBBS is an organization that has been helping youth reach their fullest potential for decades – and continues to positively impact the communities it works in every day.
The benefits of being a “Big” extend beyond simply having something to put on your resume. There are wonderful perks for both the Big Sisters and Big Brothers in the program and their mentored children, many of which are never discussed when volunteering for the program. These include but certainly aren’t limited to the following:
- Keeping a child accountable for attending and doing well in school.
- Lowering dropout rates in mentored children.
- Improving social skills and community relationships and engagement in both mentored children and their mentors.
- Improving physical health in both mentors and their mentored children during physical activities such as sports, hiking, walks, etc.
- Community improvement through participation in outreach events that improve the entire community and the lives of everyone involved.
If these benefits interest you – or you would just like to learn more about how to mentor youth in your community – contact Big Brothers Big Sisters Broward County. We can help you make the most of your time – and improve the lives of children in your area!
