At Big Brothers Big Sisters, we know that mentorship changes lives. Now, groundbreaking research shows that a caring mentor can impact a young person’s present and shape their future for years to come.
Our recent economic impact study, The Long-Term Impacts of Mentors: Evidence from Experimental and Administrative Data, provides rare insights using data from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Harvard University. This research validates what we’ve long believed: mentorship positively influences young people’s behavior, education, and labor market trajectories.
Key Findings:
- College Enrollment: Littles are 20% more likely to enroll in college after high school graduation, contributing to reduced poverty, greater economic stability, and stronger communities.
- Economic Mobility: Littles enter the workforce earning more than their non-mentored peers, with a 15% higher income between the ages of 20 and 25.
- Closing Socioeconomic Gaps: Mentorship closes two-thirds of the socio-economic gap for Littles compared with non-mentored young people. Their income as adults aligns more closely with their mentors than with their family of origin, demonstrating the power of mentorship to build social capital and foster upward mobility.
The urgent need for our future generation:
Our nation’s youth face unprecedented challenges. Widening disparities, an escalating mental health crisis, and limited access to supportive networks are holding millions of young people back from achieving their full potential.
- 1 in 3 young people grow up without a positive role model, leaving them vulnerable to isolation and adversity.
- A generation’s potential is at stake. Without intervention, these challenges can lead to lost opportunities, unrealized dreams, and inequitable futures.
Join the movement: Be a champion for mentorship
These findings reinforce the urgent need to expand mentorship programs and ensure that every child who wants a mentor has access to one. With support from businesses, schools, and community partners, we can scale this proven model to reach more young people, helping them unlock their full potential. Investing in mentorship is not just an investment in individuals, it’s an investment in a stronger, more prosperous society.
Your support is critical to achieving our vision. Together, we can:
- Achieve more mentors in your community, providing life-changing mentorship to those who need it most.
- Improve measurable outcomes in academic performance, social-emotional learning, and mental health for youth.
- Strengthen communities by empowering young people to thrive and build a brighter future.
