Intergenerational mentoring programs establish a relationship between an older adult and an at-risk child or adolescent. Intergenerational mentoring programs can be based in schools, community centers, or faith-based organizations.

• Increased self-esteem

• Improved health outcomes

• Reduced isolation

• Increased academic achievement

• Reduced delinquent behavior

• Improved social emotional skills

Intergenerational mentoring is a suggested strategy to increase mentors’ sense of self-worth, accomplishment, and well-being^{1, 2, 3}. Older adults who participate in intergenerational mentoring programs become part of a network of volunteers and develop meaningful relationships with their mentee(s)¹. Available evidence suggests that intergenerational mentoring can also improve social connectedness, physical and mental health, functioning, and self-esteem for mentors^{4, 5}. However, additional evidence is needed to confirm effects.

Intergenerational mentoring can improve participating youth’s attitudes toward aging and older adults, increase academic achievement and social development, and decrease substance use and school absences⁴. Overall, mentoring programs increase positive educational outcomes for participants⁶ and appear to reduce delinquent behavior for youth at risk of delinquency^{7, 8}.  

Successful intergenerational mentoring relationships involve matching individual mentor’s strengths and resources with the needs of potential mentees, incorporating youths’ perspective, and supporting youth-driven interactions^{3, 4}. Older adults’ life experience and emotional stability prepare them well to advise at-risk youth^{3, 4}.

Many intergenerational mentoring programs exist across the country. For example, Across Ages, which started in Philadelphia, PA and now has over 50 sites, Experience Corps, which is in sixteen states and Washington DC, and Intergenerational Bridges in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC^{9, 10, 11}.