Childhood obesity, anxiety, and suicide rates have increased dramatically over the past few decades according to the CDC and medical experts. Studies show that children with mentors are less likely to use drugs or alcohol, skip school, and have better relationships. Developing executive functioning skills is a better predictor of academic success than IQ. Stress hormones contribute to health issues, while being organized and helping others decreases stress and improves mental and physical health.

1. Teach Your Children Well “Over 30 years, childhood obesity rate has doubled for 2-5 year olds and 12-19 year olds. It has tripled for children aged 6-11 years.” Center for Disease Control Over 20 years, the rate of suicide increased dramatically in teens. A significant number of kids really do have distressing, impairing anxiety." Dr. John Piacentini, director of the UCLA Child OCD, Anxiety, and Tic Disorders Program

2. Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America’sImpact Study showed that young people with mentors were: 46%less likely to use drugs; 27% less likely to begin using alcohol. 53% less likely to skip school and 37% less likely to skip a class. Center for Intergenerational Learning, Students who participated in mentoring HAD: Less negative disruptive classroom behavior; Betterattendance; Improved relationships with adults and peers and made positive changes in their lives.

3. Executive Functioning skills are a better predictor of academic success than IQ! On average, only 40 % of students who started college in 2003 graduated from the same institution four years later. (US NEWS) Stress Hormones like Cortisol strain the heart, and contribute to belly fat and sleep deprivation. Being organized gives a sense of control and decreases stress. Helping others actually makes a person healthier mentally and physically (Case Western University)