For instance, the number of mentors increased by 22 percent for the national Big Brothers and Big Sisters program. This summer, the city of St. Paul and H.B. Fuller Co. will help establish a phone service for youths. The service will help youths find mentors, jobs and recreational activities. Also since the summit, the city has already provided 20,598 children with after-school programs. These results certainly indicate a promising start.
Supporters expect faster progress in the months ahead.
Gen. Powell's volunteer movement, however, has flaws that cannot be overlooked. While the number of volunteers has risen significantly, the quality has not. Skilled mentors, tutors and coaches are needed so that the campaign's goals for youth are met. Instead, volunteer efforts seem to focus on other areas. In Philadelphia, only 10 percent of the 120,000 youths who were promised mentors actually were given one.