Summary
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA (BGCA) IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO DRIVE POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. MENTORING AT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS (MBGC) IS A MULTICOMPONENT MENTORING PROGRAM THAT WILL LEVERAGE BGCAS NATIONWIDE CLUB AFFILIATE NETWORK TO CONNECT AT-RISK YOUTH WITH CARING MENTORS TO PROVIDE POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND TARGETED SKILL-BUILDING PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS INDIVIDUAL YOUTH RISK FACTORS. THE TARGET POPULATION IS YOUTH AGES 617 EXPERIENCING RISK FACTORS IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES IN ALL 50 STATES. THIS POPULATION INCLUDES AMERICAN INDIAN/ALASKA NATIVE (AI/AN) YOUTH LIVING BOTH ON AND OFF RESERVATIONS, YOUTH INVOLVED IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND YOUTH FROM UNDERSERVED AND CULTURALLY SPECIFIC COMMUNITIES. RISK FACTORS INCLUDE POVERTY, LOW-PERFORMING SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY VIOLENCE. AI/AN YOUTH EXPERIENCE ESPECIALLY HIGH LEVELS OF RISK. YOUTH WHO EXPERIENCE ONE OR MORE RISK FACTORS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BECOME INVOLVED IN DELIN