Mentoring by the numbers

3 million

Adults who have formal, one-on-one mentoring relationships with young people.

96

Percent of existing mentors who would recommend mentoring to others.

44 million

American adults not currently mentoring a young person who would seriously consider it.

9 months

Length of the average mentoring relationship; 38 percent last at least one year.

13

Hours per month mentors spend, on average, with the young people they mentor.

35

Percent of those with a postgraduate education who are likely to be mentors.

26

Percent of those with a high school education or less who are likely to be mentors.

35

Percent of adults in households with children who are likely to be mentors.

24

Percent of adults in households with no children who would be likely to mentor.

Source: Mentoring in America 2005: A Snapshot of the Current State of Mentoring done by the national organization MENTOR.

Mentored youth are

46 percent

less likely to use drugs.

27 percent

less likely to drink.

31 percent

less likely to hit someone.

36 percent

less likely to skip class.

52 percent

less likely to skip a day of school.

36 percent

less likely to lie to their parents.

Source: Analysis of several Big Brothers Big Sisters programs by Public/Private Ventures