We have launched this summer campaign to further support the current mentoring relationships and expand to fulfill the wishes of the over 60 youth who are waiting to have a mentor to themselves.

It is our hope to keep our youth on the right track through life so that they may one day contribute positively back to our society. We may find ourselves later paying for something that could have been prevented. Mentoring costs on average $100 a month, or $1,200 a year. As of summer 2009, Santa Barbara County taxpayers were paying over $82,000 a year to monitor one youth in juvenile hall.

Mentoring is proven to be an effective method not only of keeping youth out of the justice system, but also of improving self esteem and academic achievement, developing appropriate social skills, and reducing truancy and absenteeism in the classroom. There are numerous stories our mentors can share about the improvements they've seen not only in the life of their mentee, but also in their own lives.

Please help us make sure that we don't leave any youth behind who are seeking out help now. We can encourage them together, as a community. Thank you.