A recent study published in Healthcare 2024 evaluated the Friday Night Live Mentoring (FNLM) program's impact on youth development in California. Researchers administered retrospective pre–post surveys to 512 participants—287 mentors and 225 protégés—across 13 counties during the 2023–2024 program year. The findings revealed statistically significant improvements in participants' knowledge, attitudes, skills, relationships, school engagement, and academic performance.
The findings reaffirm the positive impact of Positive Youth Development (PYD) programs in advancing youth health and preventing alcohol and other drug (AOTD) use. The article emphasizes that incorporating PYD programs into prevention efforts has far-reaching benefits, particularly for adolescents in vulnerable and underserved communities. It highlights how initiatives like FNLM provide holistic improvements in youth development and overall well-being. By prioritizing education and early intervention, programs like FNLM can play a critical role in mitigating health-risk behaviors and improving long-term outcomes.
Beyond the quantitative data, qualitative feedback highlighted the strong emotional impact of the program. Many mentors expressed personal growth and fulfillment, while protégés appreciated the guidance and support they received. The study underscores the FNLM program’s role in fostering youth resilience and community engagement, reinforcing the value of structured mentoring initiatives in adolescent development.
The Glenn County Office of Education has provided FNL Mentoring services to students in Glenn County for over 2- years. Glenn County FNLM is currently operating at three sites—Orland, Hamilton, and Willows—with 31 mentors and 25 protégés this year.
For further reference to the study, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/2227-