Youth violence is not inevitable. It is preventable.
Decades of research confirm that young people with a consistent, caring adult mentor are significantly less likely to engage in violence, join gangs, or enter the juvenile justice system. The data is clear: mentorship is one of the most effective, evidence-based strategies for youth violence prevention.
At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, we have seen this research come to life for over a century. In 2025 alone, we served 1,641 young people across the Denver Metro and Pikes Peak regions through programs designed to provide exactly what at-risk youth need most: a relationship with someone who believes in them.
Here is what the research shows and how BBBSC puts it into practice.
The Evidence: Why Mentorship Works as Violence Prevention
A landmark 2025 study from Harvard University and the U.S. Department of Treasury, drawing on 30 years of data, confirmed what youth-serving organizations have long observed. Mentorship changes trajectories.
According to national Big Brothers Big Sisters research, mentored youth are:
- 52% less likely to be arrested than their peers without mentors
- 46% less likely to begin using drugs
- 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
- 37% less likely to engage in violent behavior
A separate four-year randomized controlled trial found that youth in BBBS programs showed significantly lower rates of violence-related delinquent behavior, property-related delinquent behavior, and recurring substance use compared to control groups.
These outcomes are not accidental. They result from intentional, relationship-based support that addresses the root causes of youth disconnection.
How BBBSC Programs Prevent Violence
Violence prevention is not a single intervention. It requires consistent relationships, safe environments, and pathways to opportunity. BBBSC delivers all three through our mentoring programs.
Community-Based Mentoring
Our signature program matches youth ages 9 to 18 with trained adult mentors who meet two to four times per month for activities chosen by the match. These one-to-one relationships build trust, emotional regulation, and decision-making skills over time. The average BBBSC match lasts 3.6 years, providing the kind of long-term stability that research shows produces the strongest outcomes.
For youth who lack stable guidance at home, a mentor fills a critical gap. Among BBBSC Littles, 70% come from single-parent households and 15% have an incarcerated parent. A consistent adult presence helps these young people navigate challenges without turning to negative influences.
School-Based Mentoring
Our STARS Peer Mentoring Program and Project AIM curriculum reach youth directly in their schools, where early intervention matters most. STARS pairs older students with younger mentees for guided sessions on conflict resolution, empathy, and goal-setting. Project AIM helps middle schoolers explore their identities and build the practical skills to make positive decisions.
School-based mentoring is our fastest growing program because it meets young people where they are during the hours when they are most at risk. Research shows that the hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. are when juvenile crime rates spike. Structured programming during this window keeps youth engaged, supervised, and connected to caring adults.
Bigs with Badges
Trust between young people and law enforcement is essential for community safety. BBBSC’s Bigs with Badges program connects youth with first responders as mentors, helping bridge gaps and build mutual understanding. These relationships humanize both sides, reducing fear and mistrust while giving young people positive exposure to public service careers.
Beyond Individual Outcomes: Strengthening Communities
Mentorship does not just change individual lives. It strengthens entire communities.
When young people have a mentor, they are twice as likely to hold leadership roles and volunteer in their communities. They develop conflict resolution skills, accountability, and the confidence to contribute positively rather than destructively.
At BBBSC, 94% of our Littles report feeling confident they will achieve their goals, even when facing significant barriers. That confidence translates into engagement: with school, with family, with community.
The economic case is equally compelling. Every dollar invested in quality mentoring returns three dollars in societal benefits through reduced justice system costs, lower incarceration rates, and higher lifetime earnings. Mentored youth earn an estimated 15 to 19 percent more in early career wages than their peers without mentors. That increased earning power generates tax revenue that more than recoups the cost of mentoring programs within seven years.
Prevention-Focused Policy: Why Funding Matters
Programs like BBBSC do not operate in a vacuum. They depend on state and federal funding streams that prioritize prevention over intervention.
The Tony Grampsas Youth Services Program is one of Colorado’s primary funding sources for community-based organizations working to prevent youth crime, violence, substance use, and school dropout. TGYS funding supports BBBSC’s ability to serve youth across the state.
During the current grant cycle, 226 Colorado organizations sought approximately $36.1 million in TGYS funding, but only $10.4 million was available. Demand for prevention programs far exceeds supply.
BBBSC advocates for sustained and expanded investment in programs like TGYS because prevention works. When we invest in young people before they enter the justice system, we reduce costs, strengthen families, and build safer communities for everyone.
Take Action
Youth violence is preventable. But prevention requires people willing to show up.
Become a Mentor. Nearly 300 young people in Colorado, most of them boys, are waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister. Your time and presence can change a life.
Donate. Your gift supports mentoring programs that keep Colorado’s youth safe, engaged, and on track for success. Donations to BBBSC qualify for the Colorado Child Care Contribution Tax Credit, meaning you can claim 50% of your gift back in state tax credits.
Enroll a Child. If you know a young person who could benefit from a mentor, we want to hear from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does mentorship prevent youth violence?
Mentorship prevents youth violence by providing at-risk young people with consistent, caring adult relationships that build trust, emotional regulation, and decision-making skills. Research shows that mentored youth are 52% less likely to be arrested and 37% less likely to engage in violent behavior than their peers without mentors.
What is the evidence that mentoring reduces delinquency?
Multiple randomized controlled trials confirm that Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring reduces delinquency. A four-year study found that mentored youth had significantly lower rates of violence-related delinquent behavior, property-related delinquent behavior, and substance use compared to control groups. Mentored youth are also 46% less likely to begin using drugs and 27% less likely to begin using alcohol.
How can a mentor help someone avoid violence or bullying?
A mentor helps young people avoid violence and bullying by providing guidance through difficult situations, teaching conflict resolution skills, modeling positive social interactions, and offering accountability. Mentors also connect youth to resources and safe environments that reduce exposure to negative influences.
What is the Tony Grampsas Youth Services Program?
The Tony Grampsas Youth Services Program is a Colorado state initiative that funds community-based organizations for prevention and intervention programs serving children, youth, and families. TGYS aims to prevent youth crime, violence, substance use, school dropout, and child abuse. It is one of the primary funding sources for organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado.
Collaboration with Local Organizations
Mentorship works best when supported by schools, nonprofits, and community organizations. BBBSC collaborates with:
- Local businesses to offer internships and career exposure
- Schools and educators to provide tailored academic mentorship
- Community leaders to develop programs that meet the unique needs of Colorado’s youth
By working together, mentorship programs foster safer, more engaged communities.
Building Safer Communities, One Relationship at a Time
Youth violence is a symptom of disconnection. When young people lack guidance, stability, and opportunity, they become vulnerable to negative influences. Mentorship addresses that disconnection at its root.
At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, we have spent over a century proving that one caring adult can change a young person’s trajectory. Our mentors do not just reduce statistics. They build relationships that help young people see themselves differently, make better decisions, and contribute to their communities rather than harm them.
The research is clear. The outcomes are measurable. And the need is urgent. Nearly 300 Colorado youth are waiting for a mentor right now.
Whether you give your time, your voice, or your support, you become part of a prevention strategy that works. Join us.
Related Programs: Community-Based Mentoring | School-Based Mentoring | Big Futures | View All Programs
A Little Action Creates BIG Futures
Your support fuels brighter futures. Donate now to make a lasting impact in your community.
