Park and recreation professionals include teachers, coaches, counselors and community leaders who act as mentors by helping build confidence, encourage positivity and values, empower healthy decision making and provide support to children and young adults. According to new date from the National Recreation and Parks Association, nine in ten U.S. adults agree on the importance of youth having access to mentors, including those found through programs at local park and recreation agencies.
According to a survey conducted by NRPA, U.S. adults (87 percent) say it is important for children and young adults to have access to mentors, including 71 percent who say it is extremely or very important, while parents (80 percent) are more likely than non-parents (66 percent) to say it is extremely or very important for children and young adults to have access to mentors. Gen-Xers (79 percent) say it is extremely or very important for children and young adults to have access to mentors.
