Mentoring

Mark Shurtleff - Mentor, Utah Attorney General & Honorary Chair of the Utah Mentor Network

Dear Friends:

Our kids and communities need you.

Last year I visited a group of teenagers at the Salt
Lake Valley Detention Center. As we spoke
I thought it would be interesting to conduct an
informal poll. I asked them to show - by the raise
of hands - how many of them had a mentor (i.e. a healthy relationship with a positive adult role model). Out of 65 young adults, only three raised their hands.

The truth, illuminated here and confirmed by several national studies, is that choices leading our children to juvenile crime can be traced to the lack
of positive, consistent role models in their lives.

Bottom Line:
Kids who have a mentor are much more likely to:

• Avoid problems with meth, alcohol, cigarettes, and other illegal substances
• Shun property crime, violent crime and gang activity
• Stay in school
• Prevent teenage pregnancy
• Avoid other behavioral problems

Communities where kids have healthy relationships with adult role models have less crime. They are better places to live in, hire from and do business.

Your leadership and example can make Utah a better place to live. Please join me by

1) personally mentoring a child in need, and
2) encouraging your organization to participate in the Utah Mentoring Partnership.

Contact my office at anytime, or visit the Utah Mentor Web site for more information on Utah's Mentoring Initiative.

Sincerely,

Mark Shurtleff

Utah Attorney General

 

Press Releases:
01-31-2002		Shurtleff Says Mentoring Will Reduce Crime
01-10-2003		Help Wanted - Web Site Created To Find Mentors For Utah Kids
05-01-2003		Changing Lives - 2003 Mentors Of The Year Honored