Community members helping kids succeed.

King County has a problem. Too many of our youth are involved in crime, and too many of those youth are children of color. About a third of young folks in King County are youth of color, but in 2008, they represented almost two thirds of the youth in detention.

They’re making bad decisions that not only limit their future opportunities, but negatively impact their friends, families, and our community as a whole.

Additional Washington State statistics:
King County Juvenile Court
King County Juvenile Court Probation

Washington State ranks 33rd in the country for the percentage of children living in families where neither parent has full-time, year-round employment.

According to the 2004 Mentoring Report for Washington State, there are 240,000 youth in Washington who are at-risk and in need of mentoring from a caring adult. Only 20,000 of these youth, 8 percent, have mentors.

The resources decrease…
Enhanced Parole Program Terminated — July 1st saw the end of DSHS-sponsored mentoring for approximately 500 youthful offenders released annually from Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration custody in order to save $5.3 million in the recession-depleted state budget.

As the need increases…
A recent poll showed that 88% of 607 sheriffs and lawmakers nationwide expect a rise in child maltreatment, based on their experience in prior recessions.

How did we get here?

• Poverty
• Broken families
• Lack of role models
• Acceptance of crime
• Media influence

To get these kids on the right path, we have to address the root causes of their situation.

Poverty makes it harder to keep families together. So these youth often do not have the benefit of strong family structures to keep them out of trouble.

They don’t have role models in their lives to show them a better way.

Mentoring offers a way out

Mentoring is:

• A structured, trusting relationship
• Bringing young people together with caring individuals who offer guidance, support and encouragement
• Helping to develop the young person’s competence, confidence and character.

Who needs mentors?

• Kids from struggling families
• Kids who need extra help with school
• Kids trying to figure out their place in the world
• All kids need a mentor

What is a mentor?
The mentor is a trusted guide, coach and friend who assists and encourages youth to fulfill goals they have set for:

• Education
• Vocation
• Drug/Alcohol free lifestyle

A Powerful Force for Change. Research shows mentoring programs have:

• Reduced first-time drug use by almost half
• Cut first-time alcohol use by a third
• Cut school absenteeism by half
• Improved family and peer relationships
• Increased student’s confidence in school