Mentoring has achieved extensive public recognition due to their remarkable success in increasing positive behaviours in youth and reducing negative behaviours. Overall, youth participation in mentoring relationships improved important educational measures such as unexcused absences and better attitudes.

Mentoring also helped develop healthier behaviours (less drug and alcohol use), and improved social and behavioural outcomes such as better relationship with parents and peers. Formal mentoring of youth focuses on the mentoring relationship itself by helping youth with social problems through friendship and guidance.

Having a mentor can open a door to life experiences that some children may not otherwise have a chance to experience. Mentoring gives individuals a chance to enjoy childhood again while enriching the life of a child with the gift of friendship.

Societal changes have created a need for more mentors. Young people feel varying degrees of isolation, depression, rejection, loneliness, and poor self-worth, while at the same time extended families are smaller and there are more single parents and fewer strong local community networks. Because caring relationships with extended family members, other adults and older peers provide a strong base for healthy development and a positive sense of self for all young people, and because many families are no longer able to provide this support for youth, mentoring needs to be supported in the cultural context of society as a whole.

The role modelling and emotional support that mentors offer helps young people to modify their undesirable behaviours and develop more positive social skills.

Over the years supporting youth at-risk through mentoring opportunities has been an integral part of the Alberta Children and Youth Services Business Plan. Strategy 1.4 of the 2007-2010 Business Plan states Continue to support youth in transition (ages 13-22) by enhancing the access to mentoring opportunities through coordination of services and support to youth.