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Youth mentoring and spiritual development
Jean E Rhodes1, Christian S Chan
1University of Massachusetts, Boston, USA.
New Directions for Youth Development
|July 22, 2008
Summary
Faith-based mentoring programs can support disadvantaged youth. However, religious proselytizing within these programs may hinder their effectiveness and outreach efforts.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Youth Development
- Program Evaluation
Background:
- Faith-based organizations (FBOs) are uniquely positioned to engage severely disadvantaged youth.
- Existing mentoring initiatives often struggle to reach or retain these vulnerable populations.
- The potential benefits of faith-based mentoring must be weighed against risks of inappropriate religious content.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the potential of faith-based mentoring programs for disadvantaged youth.
- To identify factors that could undermine the effectiveness of such programs, specifically proselytizing.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of program structures and reported outcomes.
- Review of literature on youth mentoring and FBO engagement.
- Case study approach examining specific faith-based mentoring initiatives.
Main Results:
- Faith-based programs show promise in reaching and engaging at-risk youth populations.
- The presence or perception of proselytizing activities can alienate participants and stakeholders.
- Programmatic boundaries and ethical considerations are crucial for sustained success.
Conclusions:
- Faith-based mentoring offers a valuable pathway to support disadvantaged youth.
- Careful program design is essential to prevent proselytizing and ensure inclusivity.
- Ethical guidelines are necessary to maximize the positive impact of faith-based youth programs.
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