SLIDE 1
Mentoring and Work Readiness
SLIDE 2 34% of young people (and even more, 37% of
at-risk youth) report they have never had an adult mentor of any kind. Nationwide, that means approximately
16 million youth, including nine million at-risk youth,
will reach age 19 without ever having a mentor.
The Mentoring Effect Report 2014
The Mentoring Gap
SLIDE 3 At-risk youth are more likely to…
- Miss classes
- Be suspended or expelled from school
- Fail classes or be required to repeat a grade
- Get in trouble with the law
At-risk youth are less likely to…
- Have a naturally occurring mentor
The Mentoring Effect Report 2014
SLIDE 4 Societal Cost of Disconnected Youth
The Cost? $93 BILLION LOST ANNUALLY
in wages, taxes, and social services
The Mentoring Effect Report 2014, The Economic Value of Opportunity Youth 2012
SLIDE 5 The Mentoring Effect Report 2014
Young Adults Who Were At-Risk for Falling Off Track but HAD A MENTOR, are:
SLIDE 6 Median Lifetime Earnings by Highest Educational Attainment
The College Payoff, Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce 2014
SLIDE 7 Value of investing in Mentoring and College/Career Readiness
Return On Investment, Indiana Commission of Higher Education 2013 Value of College Completion by the numbers:
Recent research has shown, every dollar invested in quality youth mentoring programs yields a $3 return in benefits in to society.
The Mentoring Effect Report 2014
SLIDE 8 Starfish Initiative Overview
Founded in 2003 with 12 students; evolved to acclaimed 1-on-1 mentoring “college coach” model Mission Statement - “ Starfish Initiative inspires, encourages, and prepares promising, economically disadvantaged students for college and career success” Today, 600+ students in Indianapolis are on their individual journey to college graduation, attending 39 high schools and 46 different colleges
SLIDE 9
Starfish Career Readiness
➢ Access to tools and resources such as Career Cruising ➢ Meyers Briggs assessments ➢ College and Career Fair events ➢ Workplace Encounter experiences ➢ Job Shadowing opportunities ➢ Soft Skills workshops
SLIDE 10
Additionally, students receive:
➢ Help in achieving 21st Century Scholarship and other scholarship opportunities ➢ Help and guidance in college apps, essays, FAFSA ➢ Help in mitigating issues and obstacles (added layer of support to guidance counselors, etc) ➢ Help in determining the best college fit ➢ Help preparing for transition from HS to college
SLIDE 11 The most affordable degree is an on-time degree, and research shows that students who stay within the same general area of study are more likely to complete college.
College Completion Report, Indiana Commission for Higher Education 2016
SLIDE 12 Lack of College and Career Readiness Support
Indiana ranks 45th of the 50 states in the number of K-12 students per counselor with an average of one counselor for every 620 students*. The American School Counselor Association recommends a ratio of 250:1.
In the 2014 Indiana School Counseling Research Review, 90% of the counselors surveyed said they spent less than 50% of the time spent with their students talking about college and career readiness.
*Lilly Endowment Press Release 2016
SLIDE 13
Starfish = Successful Outcomes
Of the Starfish Scholars that complete four years of programming…
100% graduate high school 96% enroll directly into college 77% have achieved, or are in pursuit of a
postsecondary degree
SLIDE 14
Q&A with former Starfish Scholar, Brandon Walker
SLIDE 15
Q: How has the Starfish experience benefited you in your adult life?
SLIDE 16
Q: How did your Starfish Mentor interact with other members of your support system (family, teachers, counselors, etc.)?
SLIDE 17 Q: What is your advice to those who may have an interest in serving as mentors,
and individuals who may want to support mentoring efforts?
