ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The YMCA of Western North Carolina announced today that it will take part in the national YMCA Reach & Rise Mentoring Program, a new initiative which connects adult mentors with groups of kids ages 6-17 for up to 16 week periods.

“Nearly one in five young people grow up in poverty and face barriers that can make it harder to pursue education and future career success. Research consistently shows that having a supportive, caring adult can significantly improve their chances of thriving,” wrote the Y in a press release.

Reach & Rise

The Reach & Rise program is supported by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Deliquency Prevention, intending to engage at-risk youth who may experience disproportionate rates of social issues like poverty and crime.

“Our association is excited to begin offering the Reach & Rise Mentoring Program, which will benefit many of our youth, inspiring them to reach their full potential,” said Melissa Wiedeman, vice president of youth development at the YMCA of WNC, in the press release. “Through this program, more youth in western North Carolina will develop relationships with caring mentors, families and schools leading to higher achievement and a brighter future.”

The Y is currently recruiting volunteers for mentoring training that will provide skills and tools for building healthy and meaningful relationships with kids.

“Mentors will support mentees to develop tools to cope with issues such as low self-esteem, family and peer conflict, academic underachievement, and decision-making skills,” the Y wrote in the release.

For more information and to sign up to be a mentor or to refer a youth, visit the YMCA of WNC website.