The Mentoring to Succeed Act of 2025 establishes a new competitive grant program within the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to fund youth mentoring programs. The primary purpose of this initiative is to assist eligible youth in developing essential cognitive and social-emotional skills, thereby preparing them for successful transitions to high school, postsecondary education, and the workforce. This program seeks to establish, expand, or enhance mentoring services across the nation.

Grants will be awarded to eligible entities, defined as community-based organizations or covered partnerships that provide mentoring services and youth workforce readiness programming. Eligible youth include in-school and out-of-school youth, with a particular focus on those facing academic challenges, chronic absenteeism, involvement in high-risk communities, or adverse childhood experiences. The bill outlines specific criteria for what constitutes effective mentoring, including structured activities, consistent relationships with screened and trained adult or peer mentors, and a duration of at least one year.

Authorized activities for grant recipients include designing programs to link youth with mentors trained in trauma-informed practices and cultural competency, serving youth in underserved communities, and providing coaching to mentors. Programs must aim to reduce juvenile justice involvement, foster positive relationships, develop workforce readiness skills, and encourage goal setting for future education and employment. Mentors must undergo thorough screening, including criminal background checks, and commit to long-term engagement.

The bill also mandates comprehensive youth engagement activities, such as career awareness, academic preparation, and various work experiences like paid employment, apprenticeships, and internships. Occupational skill training leading to recognized postsecondary credentials aligned with in-demand industries is also a key component. Furthermore, programs are encouraged to provide financial literacy education, entrepreneurial skills training, and activities that develop fundamental employability skills like communication and critical thinking.

In awarding grants, the Secretary will prioritize entities serving youth with the greatest need in high-poverty or rural areas, or communities with high rates of violence or substance use disorder. Priority is also given to programs offering robust postsecondary education preparation and career development opportunities, and those that actively involve eligible youth in the program's development and design. Grantees are required to submit annual reports detailing participant demographics, academic outcomes, employment status, and social-emotional development, while ensuring student privacy.

Finally, the Act directs the Secretary to facilitate access to resources and technical assistance for grantees through organizations like the National Mentoring Resource Center. It also mandates a study by the Secretary of Labor to identify successful mentoring programs, evaluate the role of mentors in youth development, and assess the effectiveness of this new grant program on student academic outcomes and career development.