Youth today face a world that is vastly different from the one in which children grew up even a few years ago. 

Generally recognized risk factors for youth exist in several domains including community, family, school, and personal/peer relations.  Risk factors within these domains include:  poverty, availability of drugs, family conflict, academic failure, peers who are engaged in delinquent behaviors, and the inability to gain positive attention and engage in healthy relationships.

  The risk factors are influenced further by the fact that:  families may not live in the communities they grew up in--loss of extended families; fathers/mothers work outside the home, resulting in a higher incidence of unsupervised youth; single parent families--may result in isolation; prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse. 

For youth, the extra affection, attention, and guidance given by relatives, neighbors, and others in the community often isn't available. 

The Joining Generations Mentoring Program developed by Worth County provides a positive mentoring relationship by a community volunteer for a youth with the goal of creating a friendship that strengthens the self-esteem and social skills of all youth.  Anyone can call to become a mentor or request their child become a mentee.

Address For Mentoring Program: PO Box 275 Northwood, IA 50459

Phone number : 641-390-0989