Mentoring from the Greek word enduring is defined as the sustained relationship between a youth and an adult. Through continued involvement the adult offers support, guidance, and assistance as the younger person goes through a difficult period, faces new challenges, or works to correct earlier problems. In particular, where parents are either unavailable or unable to provide responsible guidance for their children, mentors can play a crucial role.
The two types of mentoring are natural mentoring and planned mentoring. Natural occurs through friendship, collegiality, teaching, coaching and counseling. In contrast, planned occurs through structured programs in which mentors and participants are selected and matched through formal process.