Entries by Ariel Ervin

E-Mentoring Success Guide

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By and reprinted from MENTOR In this brief, MENTOR highlights a few key themes for organizations considering or beginning to integrate strategies for keeping youth connected virtually. This guide spotlights the resources needed and the approaches to consider when building infrastructure to support connections, especially during the most challenging times. Though in-person programs are vital, […]

Commentary on CDC Report Finds Alarming Levels of Mental Health Symptoms in High School Students

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By Alexandra Werntz, Ph.D. On February 13, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  results of a survey conducted with American high school students in the fall of 2021. According to the data, the kids are not alright.   More specifically, the report highlights three major takeaways:  “New CDC report raises urgency to invest in […]

Creating Better Opportunities for Young People

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By and reprinted from Mentoring Europe The OECD Council adopted the Recommendation on Creating Better Opportunities for Young People in June 2022, with the aim of improving youth measures and outcomes. The recommendation emphasizes government-wide strategies and policy principles that focus on skills and competencies, labor market outcomes, social inclusion, youth well-being, and trust in […]

The value of career mentoring programs for justice-involved youths

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Varghese, F. P., Bihm, E. M., Gibbons, C., Bull, C., Whitmore, J., Nolan, J., & Tomas Flores, L. (2022). Pilot Study of Career Mentoring Program for Juveniles. Psychological Services. Advance online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/ser0000689 Summarized by Charlotte Styron and Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest:  Employment plays an important role in preventing recidivism among adults involved with the justice […]

The importance of engagement for adolescents in afterschool programs

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Sjogren, A. L., Zumbrunn, S., Broda, M., Bae, C. L., & Deutsch, N. L. (2022). Understanding afterschool engagement: Investigating developmental outcomes for adolescents. American Journal of Community Psychology, 69, 169– 182. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12554 Summarized by Charlotte Styron and Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest:  Evidence suggests that participating in high-quality after-school programs promotes positive youth development & academic outcomes. […]

Too often, we are left to sink or swim: Young people discuss equitable pathways to opportunity

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By and reprinted from the American Youth Policy Forum AYPF recently conducted focus groups to obtain feedback from young people on creating equitable pathways to opportunities. The discussion with our young people surrounded access and success in post-secondary education and training that would directly lead to meaningful employment. Here are some of the valuable insights […]

We Meet Them Where They Are: The Importance of Mentoring as a Component of Youth Gang Violence Intervention

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By National Gang Center, Reprinted from the National Mentoring Resource Center “Gangs meet kids where they are. We have to do the same thing” (Amber Govan, Carter’s Crew). This statement captures the valuable relationship between youth violence intervention professionals and the young people with whom they work. When people think about violence intervention efforts, they […]

The impact of a technology-enhanced peer mentor referral system on college freshmen

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Werntz, A., Jasman, M., Simeon, K., Gunasekaran, H., Yowell, C., & Rhodes, J. E. (2023). Implementation of a technology-enhanced peer mentor referral system for first-year university students. Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-023-00303-8 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest:  Although a college degree offers many benefits, evidence indicates that 30% of students drop […]

New study explores first-generation mentoring in college students

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Hagler, M. A. (2023). Mentoring first-generation college students: Examining distinct relationship profiles based on interpersonal characteristics, support provision, and educational capital. Journal of Community Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.23003 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest:  While more and more first-generation students are enrolling in college, they are still less likely to receive their bachelor’s degree for various reasons (e.g., […]