GIVE A YOUNG PERSON A MENTOR THIS CHRISTMAS

Approximately 1 in 3 young people worldwide do not have access to a mentor.

This holiday season you have the opportunity to change a young person's life. By giving a young person a mentor, you offer a transformative opportunity for at-risk youth to navigate the challenges of growing up. A mentor can guide them through necessary changes, help them seize opportunities, and ensure they transition into adulthood safely and securely.

Without a mentor, these young individuals face the daunting task of adulthood alone. They are more vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and negative influences.

Make a Difference Today...

£15 Donation: Your gift of £15 can provide one young person with a mentor.
Monthly giving: Consider our monthly giving options to give a young person a mentor and training through our life skills workshops.

Donate to Give a Young Person a Mentor >

At-risk young people without a mentor face several significant challenges:

Behavioural issues: Increased likelihood of risky behaviours, such as substance abuse and crime.
Emotional and social difficulties: Lack of support for trusting healthy relationships and building of self-esteem.
Vulnerability to negative influences: More prone to exploitation, abuse, and negative circles.
Limited life skills: Difficulty navigating adulthood, leading to instability and limited success.
Academic struggles: Higher risk of academic failure, limiting future opportunities.

THE GIFT OF A MENTOR

is priceless for a young person...

GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT:

A mentor provides essential guidance and support.

POSITIVE ROLE MODEL:

They serve as a positive role model.

CONFIDENCE BUILDING:

Mentors help build confidence and self-esteem.

LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT:

They assist in developing crucial life skills.

PATH TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE:

Mentoring helps young people find a path to success.

“Virtually every aspect of human development is fundamentally shaped by interpersonal relationships. So it stands to reason that when close and caring relationships are placed at the center of a youth intervention, as is the case in mentoring programs, the conditions for healthy development are ripe.”

- Dr Jean Rhodes, Director of MENTOR & University of Massachusetts Boston Center for Evidence-Based Mentoring.

THE IMPACT OF A MENTOR

RELATIONSHIPS

Many young people grow up silenced, isolated, and abused, carrying these wounds into adulthood. These experiences can significantly impact their transition into adult life. A mentor can be the first trustworthy and caring adult they encounter.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND TRUST

A mentor can provide a safe space for at-risk youth to express their feelings, fostering security and belonging.

BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM

Positive reinforcement from a mentor can boost a young person's self-esteem, especially if they've experienced neglect or abuse.

ROLE MODELLING

Mentors demonstrate healthy behaviours and coping strategies, helping youth develop better social skills and resilience.

EDUCATION

A mentor's belief in a young person's potential can ignite a passion for learning, inspire dreams of higher education, and foster a deep connection to their school community. This transformative relationship can change the trajectory of a young person's life, opening doors to a brighter future.

IMPROVED ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Mentors can help students develop better study habits, time management skills, and a positive attitude towards learning.

HIGHER EDUCATIONAL ASPIRATIONS

Mentors encourage young people to set higher educational goals, such as attending college or pursuing advanced degrees.

ENHANCED ENGAGEMENT

Mentored students often show increased engagement in school activities and a stronger connection to their educational environment. This can result in better classroom behavior and participation.

EMPLOYMENT

A mentor's guidance can transform a young person's approach to work, instilling habits of reliability and respect, and nurturing a drive for continuous growth. This supportive relationship not only helps them secure employment but also empowers them to thrive and advance in their careers.

DEVELOPING POSITIVE WORK HABITS

Mentors help young people cultivate essential habits like punctuality, reliability, and effective time management.

FOSTERING PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOUR

Through mentoring, young people learn respect, effective communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution skills.

ENCOURAGING CONSISTENCY AND AMBITION

Mentors emphasize the importance of job commitment and inspire continuous learning and professional growth.

Our Work Empowering Youth Through Mentorship

Since 2012, Nicodemus has been working to provide vulnerable and at-risk young people with trusting and caring mentors. Since initially starting in Guatemala, we have developed programs to provide young people with trained mentors in 11 more countries in Latin America and The Caribbean, the UK, South Africa and India.

2600

0 Number of young people given a mentor

2012

Our progress

Present

Conducting Local Research

Beginning in Guatemala, we developed partnerships with the My Special Treasure Girls Protection Home and Education Centre, and a street youth project, Time of Rescue. Together with the directors of these three projects and through interviews with local young adults, we collaboratively discussed the risks and lack of opportunities that older teenagers and young adults in Guatemala face, their principal needs, and potential solutions. to these alarming issues. Our research identified four main areas of key support that young people transitioning to adulthood needed: a mentoring relationship, life skills workshops, education support, and opportunities for volunteering in their communities.

Acquiring Practical Experience

In 2012, we launched our Youth Mentoring Programme with 15 young adults, some of whom had left residential care while others had lived on the streets. During this initial phase, we were amazed by this first group of young people. Not only were they grateful for the support received, but they also showed a strong desire and willingness to help others in need within their communities. We quickly realised that our mission extended beyond rescuing and restoring their lives; it also involved empowering them to make a difference for the next generation. We understood that the life experiences of these young people had a purpose and that God calls those who have been hurt to help others who are hurting.

Developing Mentor Training Programs

Over time, we observed that achieving a safe and secure transition into young adulthood for young people was largely due to the cultivation of trusting and close relationships with their mentors. For this reason, we developed mentor training that focusses on the importance of a relational approach. This includes starting relationships effectively, building trust, and being active listeners. Many young people suffer from economic and relational poverty, which can be alleviated through the formation of meaningful relationships. We see the power of mentoring in two key areas: first, building a foundation of trust and respect, and second, providing the opportunity to work on goals and behavioural change.

Broadening Our Impact

In addition to developing materials for training mentors in relationship building and life skills workshops, we recognised the need to equip community program managers to conduct needs-based analyses in their communities or local projects, recruit and prepare mentors, provide ongoing support and supervision, and effectively monitor and evaluate their mentoring programs. To address this need, we have developed additional courses as part of our Project Management training series. To ensure accessibility, we offer these courses on our online platform, available on both our English and Spanish training websites. We strive to keep our courses affordable, thanks to the generosity of our supporters.

With your help, we can continue to give more young people a mentor.

In Guatemala

40%

of young people aged 15-24 are unemployed or in informal employment.

In Honduras

50%

of those who start do not complete their secondary school education.

In Latin America

16%

of adolescentes live with depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders.