Powerful New Book for National Mentoring Month

    LOS ANGELES, CA, January 11, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Street gangs, drug addiction, child prostitution, homelessness, abuse and neglect are major concerns that affect millions of American youth. According to studies, half of the U.S. youth population (17.6 million kids) is considered "at-risk" of getting into trouble with the law, or "high-risk" and already in trouble.

Our kids need help.

January is National Mentoring Month. A study done by Public/Private Ventures in Philadelphia showed that children matched with mentors through Big Brothers Big Sisters were 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs; 52% less likely to skip school and one-third less likely to hit someone.

To encourage more adults to mentor troubled youth, acclaimed Los Angeles writer and youth advocate, Jill Gurr, has published, "Mentor Youth Now" - a comprehensive guide covering all aspects of mentoring. Using this book, anyone can become a confident mentor.

Jill's journey as a mentor began in 1996 when she founded Create Now. The nonprofit matches volunteers right in their own neighborhoods with kids ages 2-25 who have been abused, neglected, orphaned, homeless, substance abusers, domestic violence victims, teen parents, gang members or incarcerated. With therapeutic programs in music, dance, writing, art, theater and cultural excursions to concerts and plays, these vulnerable children find relief, while developing confidence, self-esteem and new skills that can lead to jobs and careers.

Create Now has served more than 28,000 at-risk and high-risk youth. Because of Jill's popular presentations to diplomats and dignitaries for the U.S. Department of State through the International Visitor's Council, her organization was awarded their prestigious "2011 Community Resource Award."

"Mentor Youth Now: A Guidebook for Transforming Young Lives" is available online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other retail outlets. 20% of the proceeds benefit the neediest children through Create Now.

To learn more about the book, visit www.mentoryouthnow.com and also check out www.createnow.org.

To book interviews with Jill call: (213) 747-2777 x 210 or email [email protected].

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