Trust · Identity · Future
Stay-in-School Mentorship
Dropping out of high school is one of the strongest predictors of incarceration, poverty, and early death. LEADD's mentorship arm pairs vetted officers with at-risk teens for the long haul — building trust, ambition, and a life worth protecting.
By the Numbers
The cost of inaction.
U.S. high school students do not graduate on time each year
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education
More likely to be incarcerated — adults without a high school diploma
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics
Of dropouts say a positive adult mentor could have changed their path
Source: America's Promise Alliance
Reduction in first-time drug use among at-risk youth with a long-term mentor
Source: MENTOR / Public-Private Ventures
Lifetime earnings gap between a high school graduate and a dropout
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Reduction in school absences for mentored at-risk youth
Source: Big Brothers Big Sisters
Shorter life expectancy for adults without a high school diploma
Source: American Journal of Public Health
Reduction in violent behavior among mentored at-risk teens
Source: MENTOR National Mentoring Partnership
Why It Matters
More than a statistic.
Behind every number is a teen, a family, a classroom, and a community. Here is the context every parent, educator, and faith leader should understand.
A diploma is the cheapest, most-effective public-safety intervention we have.
One consistent adult — for at least 12 months — can change a child's entire trajectory.
Officers are uniquely positioned to mentor: they're already trusted in some neighborhoods and need to rebuild trust in others. Both are why mentorship matters.
The earlier the match, the bigger the lifetime impact. LEADD focuses on grades 6–10.
Warning Signs
What every adult should watch for.
LEADD trains parents, teachers, coaches, and faith leaders to recognize the early signals — long before a crisis.
Chronic absenteeism (10+ unexcused absences)
Failing grades in core subjects, especially algebra
Multiple disciplinary referrals or suspensions
Loss of a parent, sibling, or close friend
Foster-care placement or housing instability
Disengagement from sports, arts, or other activities
The LEADD Curriculum
A complete, classroom-ready program.
Each module is delivered by a trained LEADD officer in partnership with the school counselor. Modules can be sequenced over a semester or compressed into a one-week intensive.
- 1
Match
Officer–Student Pairing
Counselor referral, parent/guardian consent, and a careful match based on interests and personality — not just availability.
- 2
Months 1–3
Trust-Building
Weekly check-ins, shared meals, and zero-pressure conversation. The mentor's only job is to show up.
- 3
Months 4–6
Goal Mapping
Mentor and mentee co-create academic, attendance, and life goals — reviewed quarterly with the school counselor.
- 4
Months 7–9
Career Exposure
Job shadowing, ride-alongs, college tours, and trade-school visits in fields the student picks.
- 5
Months 10–12+
Family & Future
Mentor connects the family to community resources and commits to renewing the match for year two.
How LEADD Helps
Education that changes outcomes.
LEADD officers don't just visit a classroom and leave. We build year-round partnerships with educators, parents, and faith leaders so teens hear a consistent, life-saving message from every adult in their lives.
1:1 officer mentorship
Vetted, trained officers commit to a minimum 12-month mentoring relationship with a paired student.
Career exploration
Ride-alongs, station tours, and exposure to careers in public safety, EMS, and trades.
Academic check-ins
Mentors coordinate with counselors to track grades, attendance, and goal progress.
Family engagement
Mentors connect families with community resources — not just the student.
Annual mentee summit
All LEADD mentees gather for a weekend of leadership, college visits, and recognition.
Scholarship pipeline
Graduating LEADD mentees compete for college, trade-school, and academy scholarships funded by community partners.
"Officer Brooks showed up every Tuesday for two years. Just showed up. Nobody had ever done that. I'm graduating in May, and he'll be in the audience."
— Andre, senior
For Parents
What you can do tonight.
You are the most important prevention program in your teen's life. These are the actions LEADD officers ask every parent to take — starting today.
- 1
Ask the school counselor about LEADD mentorship before grades 6–8 — early matching has the biggest impact.
- 2
Let the relationship develop on the teen's timeline, not yours.
- 3
Stay involved. Mentors supplement parents — they don't replace them.
- 4
Celebrate small wins: an A on a quiz, a week of perfect attendance, a difficult conversation handled well.
- 5
If something isn't clicking with the match, tell the LEADD coordinator — re-matching is normal and healthy.
What's Included
- 12-month officer mentor commitment
- Career & college exposure
- Academic & attendance tracking
- Family resource connection
- Annual mentee summits
- Scholarship pipeline
- Counselor co-coordination
Aligned With Trusted Partners
Our curriculum draws on the research, materials, and decades of experience of the nation's leading prevention organizations.
- MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- America's Promise Alliance
- 100 Black Men of America
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America
National Resources
Trusted help, one click away.
Bookmark these. Share them with your teen, your school, and your congregation. Every one of these organizations partners with LEADD.
MENTOR — National Mentoring Partnership
Standards and research behind LEADD mentorship.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Local affiliate locator for additional matches.
America's Promise Alliance
Graduation-rate research and the Five Promises framework.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Year-round programming partner in many LEADD communities.
Bring this program to your community.
We'll connect you with LEADD officers in your region — at no cost to most schools and churches.
Next Program
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