Mentoring to Succeed Act of 2025

Key Points

• This bill would create a new grant program to help schools and local organizations start or grow mentoring programs for young people. These programs would pair students with trained adults or peers who can help them navigate school and prepare for future careers.
• The program specifically targets youth who need extra support, including students who are failing classes, are chronically absent, have been involved with gangs, or live in high-poverty areas. It also prioritizes support for students with disabilities and those who have experienced childhood trauma.
• Mentors would provide more than just advice; they would help students with job training, resume writing, and finding internships or apprenticeships. The goal is to teach skills like problem-solving and communication while helping kids stay in school and plan for college or trade school.
• To ensure safety and quality, all mentors would be required to pass criminal background checks and receive special training. This training would cover topics like how to support children who have experienced trauma and how to be inclusive of students from all backgrounds.
• The Department of Labor would oversee the grants and study which mentoring strategies work best to help students succeed. Funding would be available for five years, from 2026 through 2030, to help communities build stable, long-term support systems for their youth.