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Guide to Build Better Mentoring Programs for Youth

MENTOR, a national organization, has created a comprehensive guide called 'Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring' to help organizations build high-quality youth mentoring programs. This is the 5th edition of a resource that has been refined over 35 years. The guide provides 16 key elements that mentoring programs should follow, along with checklists and tools on an interactive website. It emphasizes that poor mentoring can actually harm young people more than having no mentor at all, so quality matters. The new edition includes updated research on youth voices, creating inclusive spaces, and better program design. MENTOR also offers special supplements for different types of mentoring like LGBTQ youth, STEM programs, workplace mentoring, and more. The organization has been working for over 35 years to close the 'mentoring gap' and help young people reach their potential. This guide helps mentoring staff and volunteers understand the most effective ways to start and run successful programs that truly help youth thrive.