First-of-its-kind study reveals mentorship as a cost-effective solution to drive socioeconomic mobility in Los Angeles and nationwide

Los Angeles, CA, 3/26/25 - A recent study conducted by leading researchers from Harvard University and the U.S. Department of Treasury identifies community mentorship as a low-cost solution that offers significant results. With Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBS), a one-to-one youth mentoring organization, programming costs at approximately $2,000 to $3,000 per year per Little (youth in program), the increased lifetime earnings of mentored youth and related tax revenue would allow the government to recoup costs within just seven years, making it one of the most cost-effective youth interventions.

The societal costs of crime in the U.S. are staggeringly high and multi-faceted ̶ millions of criminal offenses are committed resulting in billions of economic losses to the victims and in legal and correctional government. This first-of-its-kind study reveals how Big Brothers Big Sisters can serve as a scalable solution to reduce socioeconomic disparities over time.

This robust mentoring approach provides unprecedented insight into the lifelong impacts of mentorship on education, employment, and social identity. Being a BBBS Little Brother or Sister closes 2/3 of the economic gap. Payback for investments is over 14% per year.

Behavioral, systemic, and circumstantial, barriers that often prevent disadvantaged youth from reaching their full potential are minimized with the friendly guidance of a volunteer mentor and BBBS professional support.

"The data clearly shows that connecting young people with caring mentors doesn't just transform individual lives; it's one of the most cost-effective investments we can make in our country's future," said Artis Stevens, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

The research builds upon a landmark 1991 randomized control trial (RCT) conducted by Public/Private Ventures and Mathematica Policy Research, extending the analysis into the 2020s by linking administrative data from BBBS to U.S. tax records. The study focuses on matched youth from diverse backgrounds, with 60% being male and more than half identifying as racial minorities between the ages of 10 and 14. Most participants lived in single-parent households or with guardians.

To learn more and get involved with youth mentoring in Los Angeles visit catholicbigbrothers.org

Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters
1530 James M Wood, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Ken Martinet
kmartinet@catholicbigbrothers.org
213-251-9800 Ext 201

Since 1925, Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles County (CBBBS) has provided youth with screened, professionally supported Big Brother and Big Sister mentors. Big Brothers and Big Sisters are volunteers that serve as additional role models in the lives of children from under-served neighborhoods in Los Angeles County.

This release was published on openPR.