In this comprehensive guide, you will be provided resources and insight on the best practices the author has used through personal and professional experiences in working with at-risk and underserved youth populations to create award-winning programs. This guide will provide behavior theories that have been identified as useful in understanding the approaches needed by youth mentoring programs to assess the mentoring needs of at-risk and underserved populations. This is a blueprint composed of three sections that will aid in the development, renovation, and sustainability of mentoring programs servicing underserved and at-risk youth. -Section one covers the author's struggle with adolescent behavioral issues and why mentoring is important to impacting the trajectory of youth development. -Section two will cover best practices developed over time with building, directing, and advising youth mentoring programs that are effective, efficient and produce positive outcomes in youth lives. -Section three will provide behavioral theories that have been applied to practices during interaction with youth and building strong, cohesive bonds throughout mentoring programs. This guide is primarily intended as a resource for youth program mentors, coordinators, and professionals developing new mentoring programs or considering revamping current programs providing services to the at-risk or underserved youth population.