Benefits of Volunteering for Older Adults Mentoring At-Risk Youth

Abstract

The goal of this multiple-case study was to explore the benefits for older adult volunteers who are mentoring at-risk youth in one-on-one pairings, either in schools or family environments. We wanted to learn more about the specific outcomes of working in these programs for the older adult volunteers since, in our community, older adults are an important source of new mentors who can serve the large pool of young applicants waiting to be matched. Research has shown that younger generations benefit from mentoring (Public/Private Ventures, 2002; Morrow & Styles, 1995; Tierney, Grossman, & Resch, 1995), and this study adds to that knowledge base by showing that benefits are mutual. The mentoring experiences allow opportunities for older adults to renew positive emotions and reinforce meaning in their lives.

Key Words:

• Intergenerational
• mentoring
• generativity
• intergenerational programs
• at-risk youth
• older adult volunteers
• school volunteer programs
• intergenerational community service
• Big Brothers Big Sisters
• volunteer recruitment