The Center is dedicated to creating the open and efficient exchange of research and ideas. In doing so, we seek to advance the production, dissemination, and uptake of evidence-based practice in ways that improve the effectiveness of practice and, ultimately, create stronger, more enduring mentor-mentee relationships.

Samantha Burton, Stella Kanchewa, MA, Jean Rhodes, Ph.D., Sarah Schwartz Ph.D.
(not pictured: Laura Yoviene, MA, Elyssa Weber, MA, Evan Cutler, Assistant Director, Chelsea Kearnin, AmeriCorp volunteer)

Goal

The goal of the center is to advance both the production and uptake of evidence-based practice in the field of youth mentoring. We accomplish this goal through the production of research, the facilitation of collaborations, and the dissemination of evidence-based resources.

Advance our Understanding of Youth Mentoring

• Conduct rigorous research on mentoring programs and practice, including the conditions under which it is most effective
• Improve the translation of evidence into program, practice, and policy
• Identify and fill gaps in the knowledge base of evidence-based mentoring
• Help train the next generation of youth mentoring researchers

Facilitate collaboration and exchange across constituents

• Collaborate with mentoring and youth development researchers, practitioners, organizations, and policy experts in way that increases information sharing and advance evidence-based practice
• Create forums to facilitate information exchange and collaboration amongst mentoring researchers, practitioners, and others affiliated in the field

Increase the dissemination of evidence-based resources

• Create user-friendly research digests, practice tools, and policy recommendations on youth mentoring
• Create, disseminate, and revise user-friendly evidence-based trainings and resources