Entries by Jean Rhodes

The environmental case for youth mentoring

Particularly in light of the recent climate news, we are delighted to re-post Colin Beavan’s compelling contribution to the Chronicle. Colin Beavan, PhD, is a writer, speaker, consultant, life coach, and activist. He is the author of the book No Impact Man and subject of the documentary by the same name. His work has been covered […]

Meet Gil Noam, an expert on trauma informed care

Gil Noam, Ed.D, Ph.D  is the founder and director of The PEAR Institute: Partnerships in Education and Resilience at Harvard University and McLean Hospital. The PEAR Institute is a translational center that connects research to practice and is dedicated to serving “the whole child-the whole day.” An associate professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School focusing on prevention […]

Caring adult support associated with youth “sparks”

Ben-Eliyahu, A., Rhodes, J. E., & Scales, P. (2014). The interest-driven pursuits of 15-year-olds: “Sparks” and their association with caring relationships and developmental outcomes. Applied Developmental Science, 18(2), 76-89.[PDF] Summarized by Adar Ben-Eliyahu Problem: Researchers have characterized a spark as a “passion for a self-identified interest, skill or capacity that metaphorically lights a fire in […]

★Professor Earl Spurgin

You’re a professor of philosophy and you wrote an article about how celebrities like Michael Phelps often find themselves into the position of being role models.  Is philosophy a field that typically grapples with issues of role modeling and what’s best for today’s youth?  What got you interested in this topic? ESn (Earl Spurgin): Contemporary […]

White House budget puts funds for mentoring in danger

by David Shapiro You’ve probably heard about the White House budget proposal to Congress recommending significant cuts to federal domestic programs, including those affecting young people. During a cable news interview, Office of Management and Budget Director Mulvaney specifically referenced cuts to grants at the Department of Justice (the federal agency that hosts the OJJDP youth […]

Stay Attuned: Mentorship can Bridge the Nation’s Divides

by Julia Pryce The slogan, “America First,” championed by President Donald Trump and echoed in many of his administration’s recent policies, is an inherently divisive statement. It infers the exceptionality of Americans above and beyond citizens of the rest of the world. It energizes a cycle of separation, disconnection, and fear. The Southern Poverty Law […]