Why Mentoring ?
"Mentoring is a youth development strategy
that is a proven foundational asset for
a young person's successful path to adulthood."
Study after study has shown that quality youth mentoring is associated with positive outcomes in three key areas (Dubois, Portillo, Rhodes, Silverthorn, & Valentine, 2011):
​
-
Social-emotional development: Higher self-esteem, Better Relationships with Adults and Peers
-
Behavioral/Risk-Related Behavior: Avoiding Drugs/Alcohol/Juvenile Justice Issues, Bullying; and
-
Academic Performance: Achievement, Truancy, Connection to School and Adults, Dropout Indicators
Researchers have long agreed that at the heart of positive mentoring effects is the development of a strong relationship between mentor and youth.
(DuBois et al, 2002; Grossman & Johnson, 1999; Grossman & Rhodes, 2002; Morrow & Styles, 1995; Johnston 2005).
​
Mentoring programs have to be structured so that mentoring addresses the specific conditions of risk. Mentoring relationships can then serve as the context for service delivery. (Cavell, 2018)
​
Becky is a skilled consultant helping organizations create and maintain industry acknowledged best practices and processes to achieve the most effective mentoring results possible.
​
Why Mentoring ?
"A percentage of predators will target child-service groups
because they provide access to samples of highly vulnerable children and often there are opportunities for isolated access.
Many of these children have already been molested,
making them more vulnerable to the predator."
Dr. Perry Sirota
​
Each year, 35 million adults come in contact with more than 80 million young people through activities provided by youth-serving agencies. Many, if not most, of the adults involved in mentoring programs are given the mandate to build close positive relationships with mentees. The vast majority of volunteers do just that. However, within any pool of potential volunteers, there are individuals who target youth-serving organizations with the intent to sexually abuse children. According to Abel Screening, Inc.:
7% of adults are sexually interested in children.
​
Based on current research,the mentoring field’s best practices, and Friends for Youth, Inc.’s 35+ years of direct service experience, SAFE offers practical, tested tools to prevent child predators from turning mentees into sexual abuse victims.
The most damaging effects that mentors can have on youth stem from organizations' lack of awareness on child safety and how to screen out child predators. SAFE was developed to raise awareness of child predators and help organizations keep them from infiltrating programs and gaining access to youth.
​
Becky has worked with organizations for more than 25 years to develop skills for identifying potential predators and keeping them out of youth programs.
SAFE Mentoring
Training
​
Training on child
predator profiles and screening tools for safety and effectiveness
​
SAFE
Publication
​
Order
SAFE: Screening Applicants for Effectiveness book on mentor screening
​
Mentoring
Training
​
Training and consultation on Mentoring's best practices for Staff, Boards, Volunteers
​
Speaking
Engagements
​
Becky is an experienced speaker at conferences and events around the globe
​