Mentoring Can Make a Huge Difference to a Child

Posted on 03/16/2011 @ 01:40 PM

As many of you already know, we are hard at work advocating our 2011 legislative agenda.

Improving the mentoring programs in the state of Florida is one the goals of our five-point plan. Research shows that children with an ongoing relationship with a mentor are 46 percent less likely to use illegal drugs, 27 percent less likely to use alcohol and 32 percent less likely to hit someone. Source: Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy. (2010).

Florida was at one point in time the national leader.  Unfortunately, funding for mentoring has decreased recently, and mentoring no longer seems a high priority for Florida's top elected leaders.

In Tallahassee we are fighting hard to get the dollars allocated for mentoring to be distributed to the various organizations that make up the Florida Mentoring Partnership. Just some of these organizations include: 
Boys and Girls Clubs
Best Buddies
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Take Stock in Children
...and many others. View full list.

It’s absolutely critical to guide our children and teenagers throughout their youth, yet we know there are far too many children and teenagers in desperate need of a positive influence and role model.

You too can make a significant difference in a child's life as a mentor. Learn more.

John Knight
State Coordinator, South Florida
john.knight@childrensmovementflorida.org