What Youth Survey Results Teach Us About Mentorship, Belonging, and Youth Development
Phoenix, AZ | September28,2026
What Happens When You Ask Young People If You’re Cool?
As adults, one of the most nerve-racking experiences we can have is asking a young person what they really think of us.
Are you cool? Relevant? Helpful? Maybe you score an eight out of ten. Maybe seven. Maybe you get a sympathetic shrug and a response that leaves you questioning every life decision that brought you to that moment.
Young people can be tough critics. They’re honest, perceptive, and often far wiser than we give them credit for. But here’s a quirky question: Have you ever actually asked a young person for their opinion?
Why Youth Voice Matters
At New Pathways for Youth, we’ve been doing it for a very long time.
Because our reason for existing is youth, their experiences, voices, and outcomes are not just important to us; they shape everything we do. We believe organizations only grow when they are willing to listen. More importantly, we believe transformation and continuous improvement happen when we measure what matters.
Every year, we conduct our annual Level Up Youth Survey, inviting the young people enrolled in our one-to-one mentoring program to tell us what is working, what is impacting their lives, and how we can do better. We track indicators that are deeply connected to healthy youth development, including protective factors, post-secondary aspirations, mentorship experiences, personal growth, and overall program impact.
And the good news? They answer. Thoughtfully. Honestly. And often with plenty of opinions.
The results from our 2026 Level Up Youth Survey once again remind us why listening matters.
What the 2026 Level Up Youth Survey Revealed
Among the most encouraging findings was the strength of the mentor-youth relationship. Participants rated their mentorship experience an average of 5.4 out of 6, with 84% of youth giving their mentor relationship a rating of 5 or 6. These findings reinforce what we see every day: trusted relationships create meaningful opportunities for growth and resilience.
Youth also rated their overall program experience an impressive 4.7 out of 6, with 93% reporting a positive experience. When asked what they valued most, young people highlighted supportive mentors and staff, a strong sense of belonging, opportunities for personal growth, and engaging learning experiences.
Perhaps most importantly, the survey showed measurable gains in protective factors that help young people navigate life’s challenges. Youth improved across all areas measured, with statistically significant growth in decision making, academic behaviors, conflict resolution, household functioning, and resource utilization. The strongest areas of improvement were decision making, academic behavior, and conflict resolution. You can review the results here.
We also saw encouraging signs for the future. Among youth in high school, 94% aspire to continue their schooling including college, university, or trade school. These aspirations reflect the hopes, goals, and potential our young people carry with them every day.
For us, data is more than numbers on a page. It is a reflection of real young people, real journeys, and real opportunities to learn. Every survey response helps us refine our programs, strengthen our impact, and remain accountable to the youth we serve.
After all, if we’re going to dedicate ourselves to helping young people thrive, the least we can do is ask them what they think. Their answers continued to show us the way.
New Pathways for Youth’s 2026 Level Up Youth Survey highlights the power of mentorship, trusted relationships, and youth voice in helping young people grow, thrive, and plan for their futures. The survey is conducted by LeCroy & Milligan Associates. You can see this year’s survey highlights here.
