The Lincoln Youth Mentoring Coalition released its 2021 State of Mentoring Report, the first of its kind for Lincoln and Lancaster County. The report, made possible by a grant from Community Health Endowment, was generated by the Coalition by conducting surveys, collecting data, and acquiring feedback from stakeholders to “map” the mentoring happening in Lincoln and Lancaster County.
The report includes information about the variety of mentoring happening at the 26 organizations participating in the Coalition. Highlights from the report include:
- 2,370 youth in Lancaster County currently have a mentor.
- 76 percent of youth mentored are in poverty.
- 926 mentors are needed to mentor students currently waiting.
- Diverse mentors are needed. Currently, 51 percent of mentored youth identify as a person of color, but only 12 percent of mentors identify themselves as a person of color.
- The vast majority of youth waiting for a mentor are male. Currently, 41 percent of youth mentored are male, while only 36 percent of mentors are male.
The report also includes information about collaborations, service gaps, and mentoring during COVID-19. It also identified future needs including more funding and mentors.
“Thank you to the thousands of adults in our community who already know the transformational effect mentoring can have on a young person and on the adult mentor,” said Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird. “Our Coalition members offer many different ways for adults to get involved in mentoring. The need outlined in the Mentoring Coalition’s report should catalyze more adults to step forward and help young people chart courses for their futures that are alive with possibility and opportunity.”
“The work of the Mentoring Coalition is a perfect example of the kind of planning and collaboration that distinguishes Lincoln in its efforts to create opportunity for our children, families, and youth,” said Lori Seibel, President and CEO of Community Health Endowment, which funded the project.
Formed in June 2020, the Lincoln Youth Mentoring Coalition includes organizations that conduct or are considering conducting mentoring programs for youth as well as organizations that support mentoring programs. Thirty-four individuals representing 26 organizations in Lancaster County are members of the Coalition, which meets monthly. To learn more, contact Clover Frederick at cloverfrederick@gmail.com.
