The benefits of adolescent mentoring programs cannot be overemphasized. Mentoring can be especially beneficial to urban-living, minority adolescents who may lack role models. The Big Brothers/Big Sisters (BB/BS) organization administers an important program that is committed to building successful mentoring relationships between adolescents and adults in their community. BB/BS has developed an intervention called GirlPOWER!, combining mentoring with self-esteem enhancement and health education and promotion strategies. This study will determine the effectiveness of the GirlPOWER! intervention and determine its feasibility in being applied to other populations.

Participants will be randomly to receive either the GirlPOWER! intervention or traditional mentoring through BB/BS for approximately 2 years. Participants in the GirlPOWER! group and their mentors will engage in structured activities that focus on strengthening the mentoring relationship, promoting self-esteem, reducing levels of health-compromising behaviors such as substance use and violence, and increasing levels of health-enhancing behaviors. Traditional mentoring comprises less structured activities and typically includes general discussion of an adolescent''''s day-to-day life and any accomplishments and challenges he or she may have experienced. Participants will be assessed at study entry and at the end of the study. Assessments will include interviews and self-report scales of participants'''' self-esteem and health knowledge and attitudes.

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

• Live in Chicago, Illinois Metropolitan area
• Identify as part of a racial minority
• Parent or guardian willing to provide informed consent