Research shows, however, that effective mentoring takes much more.
Over the last ten years or so, mentor programs have bloomed across the country. Mentor programs institutionalize bonds that in past times helped to ease young people into the rites and roles of adulthood. Proponents view mentoring as a way to reweave the social fabric and reconnect generations, cultures and classes. National Service and the mentoring movement have proven to be a good fit. Many AmeriCorps Members are fast at work recruiting and supporting mentors, as well as doing mentoring themselves.