PHOENIX — Youth mentorship programs can have a hugely positive impact on Arizona kids, according to leaders of a local nonprofit that pairs adults with kids in need of guidance.

This belief stems from a study that uses 30 years of data, according to Steve Conrad, the vice president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona (BBBSAZ).

“The data here clearly shows that connecting young people with caring mentors doesn’t just transform individual lives,” Conrad told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Friday. “It’s one of the most cost-effective investments we can make in Arizona’s future.”

What does data say about benefit of youth mentorship programs?

The data is based on a 30-year research project conducted by researchers from Harvard University and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The study f

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