Roadblocks to Mentoring Justice-Involved Youth

• In Event: Reviewing Support Systems for Troubled Youth

Abstract

Adapting mentoring programs to at-risk, justice involved youth can help strengthen emotional well-being, increase the likelihood of high school graduation, and lower recidivism rates. Although the strongest outcomes have been observed in programs that are designed to serve the highest risk youth, there are many institutional barriers that can limit the success of such programs. This study employs a mixed-methods design analyzing journals submitted by college age mentors who participated in the year-long mentoring program for high-risk youth in Nebraska. From these journals, we identified external, reoccurring challenges that are unique to institutional-based mentoring programs. The identified challenges included shortened meeting times, miscommunication with reentry teams and facilities, obstacles to consistent communication, and challenges with course requirements. Following an extensive qualitative coding process, we then completed quantitative analysis to explore any correlates or significant variables that impact high-risk mentoring program factors and external challenges.

Authors

• Sadie Brewer, University of Nebraska Omaha

• Anne M. Hobbs, University of Nebraska Omaha

• Sara Moore, Concordia University