understanding impact
BEYOND THE DATA
One of the unique challenges of mentoring is that relationships don't always lend themselves to measurement.
How do you quantify the impact of a trusted adult? How do you measure a conversation that changes the course of a young person's day, a year, or even a life? The most meaningful outcomes of mentoring (belonging, confidence, trust, hope, and connection) are often difficult to capture in a spreadsheet.
Still, some things can be measured.
This page is dedicated to sharing the data behind the Council on Adolescents' Lunch Buddy Program: the number of mentoring relationships we facilitate, the students and schools we serve, the communities we reach, and the mentors who make this work possible. These numbers help us understand our growth, identify areas of need, and ensure we are serving young people throughout Catawba County!
But data tells only part of the story.
Over time, we also hope to collect and share stories from mentors, students, school staff, and community members. These are the stories that go beyond the data, illustrating the moments, relationships, and transformations that statistics alone can never fully capture. Have a look around to see the full picture of what mentoring looks like and why it matters.