Implementing a professional youth mentoring program during times of crisis: lessons from the global pandemic.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional youth mentoring practices as social distancing limited in-person interactions. This study analyzes how Friends of the Children (FOTC), a professional mentoring program, was able to maintain engagement with mentees during the pandemic. Using a sample of 112 youth (58% Black/African American) with an average age of 12.5, this study investigated how FOTC continued to support mentees during this period. The amount of time and types of activities mentors engaged in with youth before, during, and after the pandemic were assessed to gauge how service delivery and interactions evolved during the crisis. Key factors supporting organizational resilience included professional infrastructure, specialized training, supervision, and peer networks, enabling mentors to sustain relationships and progress towards positive youth outcomes. These findings highlight the resilience of professional youth mentoring programs during a crisis and suggest that this model may help overcome disruptions while maintaining vital support during challenging times.