It may seem that youth is the most carefree time? Only if someone takes care of you!

Thousands of young people in Latvia lack family support. These are young people living in youth homes, foster families, or families that, for various reasons, cannot provide sufficient care. Without the presence of a trusted adult, young people are more likely to feel unwanted, experience loneliness, and face problems and challenges they are still too young for—such as depression, even suicidal thoughts, social exclusion, harmful addictions, and more.

The power of relationships
The “Mentor Latvia” mentoring programme has been providing less protected young people with individual support from a volunteer mentor for 15 years. A mentor becomes a trusted adult who helps develop skills, build self-confidence, and prepare for independent life.

Research, including Harvard University’s longitudinal study “The Harvard Study of Adult Development,” which has been ongoing since 1938, shows that the foundation of a good life is at least one trusted relationship. The experience of “Mentor Latvia” also confirms that even one stable and caring adult presence can significantly improve a young person’s ability to overcome difficulties and successfully integrate into society.

“These are unreal feelings when you realize that someone cares about you. I started to notice that this world has completely different colors—more beautiful and brighter.” – a programme participant

What it means to be a mentor

A mentor is a motivated and supportive adult (from the age of 25) who is not a relative or a paid specialist. Their role is to become a positive example, share life experience, help develop skills, and broaden the young person’s perspective. A mentor works voluntarily, without remuneration.

“Being a mentor has given me the opportunity to reflect on myself and consider how good my own choices are before becoming an example for someone else,” says Ivo, a volunteer mentor.

What a volunteer mentor does:

• Spends time with the young person at least twice a month.
• Listens without judgment, communicates, and provides emotional and practical support in various everyday situations.
• Helps to learn new things.

“We can all help. A young person needs the feeling of someone being there, the opportunity to be heard. These young people are with us and our children at school, in stores, on the street, and every one of them matters. Our task is to notice them,” emphasizes Edīte Zvirbule, Executive Director of the public benefit organization “Mentor Latvia.”

Become a volunteer mentor

Consider becoming a volunteer mentor or donate so that a young person at a dead end has at least one trusted support person. Together, we can help young people overcome adult challenges and inspire them to grow.