Mentoring - from the Greek word meaning enduring - is defined as a sustained relationship between a youth and an adult. Through continued invoIvement, the aduIt offers support, guidance, and assistance as the younger person goes through a difficult period, faces new challenges, or works to correct earlier problems. In particular, where parents are either unavailable or unable to provide responsible guidance for their children, mentors can play a critical role.

Why is mentoring so popular?
The number of mentoring programmes has grown dramatically in recent years. This popularity results in part from compelling testimonials by people... youth and adults alike-who have themselves benefited from the positive influence of an older person who helped them endure sociaI, academic, career, or personaI crises.

Why are they needed?
Data clearly show many youths have a desperate need for positive role models. The most compeIling data describe changes to the family structure: the number of single parent homes has radically increased, as have two-parent working families. More preventive care is needed, as are support networks to fill the void left by busy or absent parents.

In mentoring relationships you can quickly recognise the benefits to mentees. They receive help in achieving their goals. In particular, they gain new information and learn new skills, receive coaching and support, make important contacts, and receive helpful feedback. But the benefits to mentors are not so obvious. What do mentors get out of the relationships?

1. Personal Satisfaction
One of the key benefits is the personal satisfaction of helping another person learn and grow. This is the benefit most commonly cited by mentors who participate in formal mentoring programs within corporations. Many who have been helped at some point in their careers see mentoring as a way of giving back. They gain satisfaction in helping others in their careers. "I get Great satisfaction in seeing other people grow". “It’s fun to see people grow and to know that I may have had a part in it”.

2. Validation
When mentors share their knowledge, skill and expertise, it reinforces their expertise. Mentors also receive the respect and admiration of their mentees.

3. Learning
Not only do mentees learn from the mentors, but mentors gain new ideas and a broader perspective from their mentees.