The program is a one-on-one community based mentoring program. Its primary goal is to match child welfare and system involved children/youth between the ages of 5 and 15 who live in Montgomery County with adult volunteer mentors (21 years or older) who serve as positive role models and help young people address barriers to academic achievement and positive family and community relationships. Through the mentoring relationship YMCA Youth Links mentors help the young people cope with their life circumstances and develop the life-skills needed to make positive choices.The mentors and mentees agree to meet for a minimum of 4 to 10 hours per month in consistent and regular visits and stay in the mentoring relationship for at least one year.