A steady paycheck and a career track are great; but some low-income school children dream of something different, like starting their own businesses and being their own bosses. Connect for Kids intern Kate Ashford looks at a national program designed to give these kids the tools they need to succeed.

Created by the vision and leadership of the Benton Foundation, Connect for Kids now takes a major step?to independence.

Even with a history of presidential endorsements, youth mentoring programs are disappearing. Inadequate funding, changing legislation and lack of commitment are some of the reasons of the decline. Bill Treanor of Youth Today takes a closer look.

Mentoring programs can be effective tools for enhancing the positive development of youth, concludes this Child Trends analysis. Mentored youth are likely to have fewer school
absences, better attitudes toward school, fewer incidents of hitting others, less drug and alcohol abuse and improved attitudes and relationships with adults including their parents. But mentoring for a short duration may do more harm than good.

Former editor Richard Louv looked at why so many children today lack opportunities to explore, play and dream in the natural world—and what they have lost as a result. This time, he offers suggestions for bringing children back to nature.

In theory, school-based mentoring has a lot to recommend it: volunteers with only 3 to 5 hours of free time a week can participate; the school setting can help supervisors keep track of mentoring relationships more easily; and education remains the focus of the mentoring relationship. This preliminary report from Public/Private Ventures found that school-based mentoring has benefits for kids, teachers, and mentors alike.

Find out how you can help a child in your community who has been the victim of abuse or neglect.

Use Impact Online's Volunteer Match to find an opportunity to help children and families near you.

From parents to policymakers, people are looking toward communities to maintain a healthy environment for children and families. Find out how one tutoring and mentoring program uses computerized mapping to bring attention to the assets—and needs—of Chicago communities.

Know your incumbents' records. The Women's Voting Guide lets you compare your views with the voting records of your federal Senators and Representative on a number of issues including children and families.