Groundbreaking Research on the Long-term Impacts of Youth Mentorship

Groundbreaking Research on the Long-term Impacts of Youth Mentorship

First-of-its-kind study reveals youth mentorship leads to
greater enrollment in higher education, increased salaries,
reduced dependency on social services, and improved behavioral outcomes

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America released a landmark study on the transformative power of mentorship in shaping young people’s educational, economic, and social trajectories. 

Conducted by esteemed researchers from Harvard University and the U.S. Department of Treasury, this first-of-its-kind study reveals how mentorship programs like Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles serve as a scalable solution to reduce socioeconomic disparities over time. 

Rooted in 30 years of data, this study reveals compelling evidence that mentored youth experience substantial long term benefits including:

• Increased Earnings: Participants saw a 15% increase in earnings between the ages of 20 and 25, with their income becoming more aligned with their mentors than their families, effectively reducing the socioeconomic gap by two-thirds 
• Higher College Attendance: Mentored youth are 20% more likely to pursue higher education compared to their peers without mentors
• Improved Behavior: Within 18 months, mentored youth reported lower rates of absenteeism and fewer school suspensions
• Healthier Social Outcomes: The study indicates that mentorship fosters better social behaviors and stronger connections, leading to decreased reliance on social services

“At Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles, we witness the impact of mentorship every day. Young people discover their potential and thrive in remarkable ways,” shares CEO Cari Uslan. “As this study makes clear, mentorship isn’t just a volunteer opportunity–it is a proven, scalable solution that transforms the future of our community and improves the lives of countless children.”

While previous studies suggest youth must fully change their social environment to increase economic opportunity, this study is the first to identify community mentorship as a low-cost solution that offers the same results. For an annual investment of just $2,000–$3,000 per youth, the lifetime return is immeasurable—not only for the young people we serve, but for society as a whole. Within seven years, the government can recoup these costs through increased tax revenue, making mentorship one of the most cost-effective interventions available today.

Artis Stevens, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, emphasized the study’s validation of mentorship as a critical tool for breaking the cycle of poverty. “Connecting young people with caring mentors doesn’t just transform individual lives; it’s one of the most cost-effective investments we can make in our country’s future.”

This groundbreaking research builds on a previous 1991 study and provides deep insights into the lifelong effects of mentorship. It focuses on youth aged 10 to 14 who participated in BBBS programs in the early 1990s, showcasing the diverse backgrounds of the participants. Most participants lived in single-parent households or with guardians. The findings of this study reinforce the commitment of Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles to expand access to quality mentoring relationships, ultimately helping every young person to reach their full potential.

About JBBBSLA

Founded in 1915, JBBBSLA assists youth in achieving their full potential through innovative, impactful programs: Youth Mentoring, Camp Bob Waldorf, and College Access + Success. Each year JBBBSLA serves more than 1,400 youth across three programs from a variety of backgrounds, races, religions, and socio-economic status. In past 10 years, JBBBSLA’s Youth Mentoring team has made 3000 Big Brother and Big Sister matches impacting countless youth. College Access + Success has doubled its scholarship funds as the cost for college continues to rise. 25% of Littles in our Youth Mentoring program attended Camp Bob Waldorf. For more information about the organization, to donate, or find out how you can get involved please visit: www.jbbbsla.org.

Media Contacts

For more information, or to schedule interviews, please contact:
Cari Uslan 323-456-1147 or cuslan@jbbbsla.org