Shadow-mentoring is a new method that local leaders are exploring to mentor young adults in the community.

City Commissioner Jim Sands said it can be challenging connecting with youth when you are far removed from high school, so the shadow mentoring would be beneficial.

“[Let’s say] you could approach them from [the perspective] that you’re recently graduated – me, I can give them more wisdom, and then we take that and mentor that young person and they go to the middle school and now the middle schooler is going to look at the high school person, and they’ll look at [you] the recent graduate, and they’ll look at me,” said Sands.

Sands said this “four-pronged” type of mentoring program is most effective.

Sands, alongside Boys and Girls Club Director James Russell are working with community leaders to try to create positive atmospheres and outlets for the younger residents of Junction City.

Sands said there is no target demographic because any child could potentially be at risk.

“If [a student] got a D or F or did bad on a test, it probably depressed you a little bit, and based on what kind of character you have – can you handle that type of depression; for some kids it drives them right off the edge, so we want to make sure we provide them with an outlet,” said Sands.

Sands said they are currently working toward hosting dances,picnics and other related activities.