Young people who had mentors set higher educational goals and are more likely to attend college than those without mentors, according to a 2020 research Department of Education study “Youth Mentoring: Do Race and Ethnicity Really Matter?”
They are also more likely to take on leadership roles on school and civic organizations and on athletic teams.
Lindsey Saint Phar recently stated in her analysis article, ‘The Importance of Mentorship in the Black Community,’ that mentorship is important in any demographic.
“When speaking of the Black community specifically, it can be hard to navigate the many obstacles that America has given us,” said Phar, who serves as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts racial equity committee member and match support coordinator.
“Given the overall biases in the media and some of the negative portrayal of the Black community, it is important for young Black kids to see Black success stories. “
Closer to home, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri (BBBSEMO) has launched the Mentors Matter program to cultivate resilience, leadership, and shared learning.
It will be renamed by its participants, young men from marginalized communities who will receive specialized support and wrap-around services.
This opportunity helps us close the gap and serve more youth than before,” said Kristen Slaughter, BBBSEMO’s president & CEO.
“Our mission is to effectively serve the diverse range of youth and families in our community. We continue to look for innovative ways to increase our reach and deliver specialized services to meet our youth where they are.
“We are on pace to connect with 9,000+ youth and families this year; we are attracting more young men from marginalized communities than we can serve with the current roster of volunteers. This opportunity helps us close the gap and serve more youth than before.”
Dr. Kelvin Adams, St. Louis Community Foundation president and CEO and former Saint Louis Public Schools superintendent, organized and led a special advisory board for this initiative.
The board used the knowledge and experience of the positive outcomes achieved when youth from marginalized communities are paired with mentors and peers who share lived cultural experiences and backgrounds
“Dr. Adams is an invaluable partner. He has an accomplished and storied history of serving the St. Louis community and investing in youth and families,” said Slaughter.
“When we were looking into the challenges we were facing, we knew we needed an expert and partner who believes in our work and brought an acute familiarity and understanding of the challenges that impact young men from marginalized communities in this region.
BBBSEMO’s first cohort will be comprised of males, ages 10-14, who live in the St. Louis metro area. The program will include two-to-three hours of 1-to-1 mentorship with each youth. Sessions will focus on teaching life and academic skills, nurturing and promoting individual strengths, talents, and abilities, and ensuring physical and emotional well-being.
“As superintendent, for 14 years, I was always concerned with the needs of the individual student while navigating the needs of the entire district. This partnership allows me and the advisory board to support the specific, targeted needs of individual students through a mentoring support system,” said Adams.
The students will benefit from a consistent, long-term relationship with a dedicated professional mentor. When I was a young student, my relationship with my mentor changed my life. I believe it can be life-changing for others.”
Jamal E. Bailey is the program director, and his is joined by three full-time community-based mentoring managers, and a full-time resource case manager.
While the Mentors Matter program is new, mentoring has been part of BBBSEMO for years. In January 2024, National Mentoring Month, it held a Mentor Fest to celebrate its work and recruit mentor volunteers.
Andre Walker told St. Louis on the Air on KWMU he wants to be an example of a successful “everyday Black man” to his mentee — or “Little Brother.”
“I’ve noticed that a lot of our [Black] youth, they tend to [gravitate] towards the athletes or the entertainers because that’s what they see on their phones, on social media, on all of these different platforms,” Walker said.
“I know with me and my mentee, just from some of the conversations that we’ve had, he has been able to see another way for him. And it’s opened up so many doors already for his path.”
Ericka Sanders, vice president of Community Outreach and Volunteer Recruitment said data supports the importance of mentors.
“85% of our alumni graduate high school,” Sanders said.
“[Former mentees] either go on to higher education, they go straight into what we hope is gainful employment for them, or they even look into [enlisting in] the military.”
Provident Behavioral Health recently received a $40,000 grant from RGA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (RGA), to support its Access Center in downtown St. Louis.
RGA has supported Provident’s work in the community for more than a decade, consistently advancing the organization’s efforts to offer affordable, impactful mental health care to underserved populations.
“Our Access Center is a lifeline for people who are experiencing behavioral health challenges and need to talk to someone right away,” said Julie McDowell, vice president of advancement at Provident.
“This grant demonstrates RGA’s continued commitment to our mission and confidence in our ability to build brighter futures through exceptional behavioral health services.”
Provident’s Access Center provides counseling for concerns such as trauma, depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, and relationship issues. Clients also gain access to Provident’s 24/7 crisis hotline, ensuring they have support whenever they need it.
Appointments start at just $5, and services are available to children, adults, and older adults through in-person or telehealth appointments.
“RGA and RGA Foundation believe that mental health is a key component for a long and happy life,” said Matt Blakely, RGA vice president of corporate responsibility and sustainability.
“We are proud to partner with Provident Behavioral Health in their work to make mental health services more accessible to everyone in our community.”
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