Building Youth Resiliency through Mentorship
January 24, 2014 | Edmonton
The Edmonton Youth and Sports Board team is excited to pilot a mentorship program for youth in our Jamat in 2014. This mentorship program is part of a fundamental shift and promotion in the notion of Youth Resiliency within the Board and is one of three main pillar programs that we hope to launch (or re-launch) including a Bullying Prevention Initiative and CIVIC initiative.
People often say that children are the future. This is true. However, the current reality is that children are dealing with so many more issues then we did 50, 20 or even 10 years ago. Of course, a forefront issue is bullying. The numbers of teenagers across the country who have committed suicide over the last year because they were bullied are unfathomable and must be addressed, by government, by schools, by parents...but ultimately, by us as humans.
Add poverty, abuse, neglect, lack of self-esteem and low motivation in school, all of which exist within our community, and it makes you wonder how children can possibly cope with the expectations placed on them by society.
According to research, the key to dealing with these issues is mentorship. Kids who have positive role models in their lives are more likely to succeed academically and develop healthy lifestyles.
Mentorship does not have to be limited to wayward teenagers. Elders in our community have important lessons to share with adults. Adults have important lessons to share with youth. And youth have important lessons to share with children. It's this cycle of sharing our own experiences that will help make a positive difference in the community.
Many researchers and educators are emphasizing the importance of prevention in the form of early childhood education. Mentorship is a significant aspect of this. The very thought of not having a person to look up to, listen and support are incomprehensible. Mentors may come and go, but the lessons you learn from your mentors can last a lifetime.
Children are surrounded by teachers, parents, and other adults telling them how to behave, what to wear, and who to trust. Sometimes they need someone there to just "be there" without judgement. That's what a mentor is.
For more information about the program or to be a mentor, please contact Youth and Sports Board.
