Park and recreation professionals include teachers, coaches, counselors and community leaders who act as mentors by helping build confidence, encourage positivity and values, empower healthy decision making and provide support to children and young adults. Nine in ten U.S. adults agree on the importance of youth having access to mentors, including those found through programs at local park and recreation agencies.

Key Findings:

• U.S. adults (87 percent) say it is important for children and young adults to have access to mentors, including 71 percent who say it is extremely or very important
• Parents (80 percent) are more likely than non-parents (66 percent) to say it is extremely or very important for children and young adults to have access to mentors.
• Gen Xers (79 percent) say it is extremely or very important for children and young adults to have access to mentors.

Check out NRPA’s Mentoring in Parks and Rec initiative to learn more about efforts to build effective and evidence-based mentorship programs that connect youth with caring and compassionate mentors while strengthening connections across a community.