“The strongest program benefit, and most consistent across risk groups, was a reduction in depressive symptoms—a particularly noteworthy finding given that almost one in four youth reported worrisome levels of these symptoms at baseline. Findings also suggested gains in social acceptance, academic attitudes and grades.”

–Role of Risk Study, Herrera/DuBoise/Balwin Grossman http://www.mdrc.org/publication/role-risk

“Findings suggest that mentoring benefited youth’s emotional/psychological well-being, peer relationships, academic attitudes, and grades. At the 13-month follow-up assessment… mentored youth were doing significantly better than youth in the non-mentored comparison group on a number of important outcome measures.  In particular, these youth reported: fewer depressive symptoms, greater acceptance by their peers, more positive beliefs about their ability to succeed in school, and better grades in school.”

–Role of Risk Study, Herrera/DuBoise/Balwin Grossman http://www.mdrc.org/publication/role-risk