How to Make a Difference in the Life of an At-Risk Child

Every day a child somewhere is placed at-risk. They are the innocent victims caught in the whirlwinds of divorce, family crisis and addictions. Sometimes at-risk youth feel as if their world is spinning out of control and no one cares. How can we make a difference in the life of an at-risk youth?

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Get involved with youth in your area. Local youth programs, schools and churches are always searching for volunteers. Some things you could do on your own are: coach a youth sports team, tutor struggling students or chaperone youth events. There are also national mentoring program such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters as well as on-line mentoring programs. The opportunities are endless.

2. Ask program directors, pastors, teachers and parents to guide you to an individual that may be at-risk. Everyone knows someone who is struggling.

3. Provide for physical needs first. The will to survive takes precedence over everything else. If a child is hungry, sick or homeless their main concern is getting something to eat, feeling better and having a place to stay. Familiarize yourself with area resources that can help with these things. You cannot make a difference until these basic needs are met.

4. Build a friendship based on common interests that the two of you share. If the common interest is basketball, shoot some hoops, play one on one, get a game together between friends. If you both love music visit music stores, go to concerts and share CDs. Use this interest to spend time together.

5. Don't be judgmental or criticize their family. While at-risk youth may wish things could change, they still love their family.

6. Be open, honest and sincere. Listen to what they are saying and relate when you can by sharing similar experiences. Consider this a teachable moment and an excellent opportunity to model problem solving and decision making skills.

7. Emphasize and assist in education. In the world we live in today, education is of utmost importance. An educated person has more options available to them than an uneducated person.

8. Discover career goals. Find out what interests the youth has and make opportunities to see these interests in action by visiting business or conducting interviews with successful people in that field.

9. Find or start a community project and get involved. At-risk youth find it difficult to see themselves as a part of the community they live in unless they get involved in making a difference in that community. It is important to involve the youth in finding a project the two of you can work on together.

10. Plan fun activities. Many at-risk youth do not have a healthy view of fun. Expose them to a variety of activities, events and cultures. Allow them to plan some of the activities that the two of you will share.

Tips & Warnings

• Mentoring an at-risk youth can make a positive impact in both of your lives.
• At-risk youth who are involved with caring adults are 46 percent less likely to get involved in illegal drugs, 27 percent less likely to use alcohol and 52 percent less likely to skip school.
• Successful mentors are never forgotten.
• Make sure the child knows that you will keep his confidences as long as it does not involve some illegal, dangerous or harmful activity.

Resources

• How to Be a Better Mentor
• Good Mentoring Keeps At-Risk Youth in School

[TerriR]

on 3/11/2009 You are absolutely right! Not at all what was commanded. Very sad indeed.

[YouthServices]

on 3/11/2009 You mentioned churches getting involved in at-risk youth programs...RIGHT ON! I've worked in both for 20 years and sadly, churches seem to go on mission trips, while the kids in their own neighborhood need them. Thanks for writing!