Group Mentoring: The Experience of Adolescent Mentees on Probation

Group mentoring is an innovative approach to working with vulnerable youth. This qualitative study examined a group mentoring program and the experience of youth participants involved with the juvenile justice system. Eleven mentees and two mentoring coordinators participated in a combination of focus groups and individual interviews, while participant observation was also employed. All participants indicated that the group mentoring program had a positive influence in their lives, helped them to make better choices, and provided a healthy weekly activity. Mentees identified the mentoring coordinator and the group activities as the most important aspects to the experience.