This study was conducted to address the mentor training practices used in youth mentoring programs geared toward gun violence prevention. The purpose of this qualitative utilization-focused program evaluation was to assess for best practices in mentor training practices to help find a working solution for the gun violence epidemic among youth. This research examined best practices to assist leadership in setting the building blocks for mentor training programs within urban areas geared towards gun violence prevention. Additionally, the research sought to provide data for the organization that would be usable in generating funding, using a utilization-focused evaluation (UFE) program evaluation. The program evaluation conducted was designed to answer the following research questions. Research Question 1: What are the mentor’s experiences in the training practices? Research Question 2: Do mentors in the program feel that the training program has equipped them to effectively mentor youth? Research Question 3: What program-based strategies are being used to ensure mentors relate to participants, creating a positive experience for mentors and mentees? This research looked at mentors’ experiences using Jean Rhodes and associates’ best practices/theory effective mentoring. According to this theory, there are six components of best practices/ theory effective mentoring programs: mentor recruitment, proper mentor screening, effective mentor training, monitoring of mentors by the organization, matching mentors with mentees based on likeness and relationship closure. This UFE consisted of seven focus groups whereby stakeholders connected with research on each area of the research process, 21 face-to-face interviews of mentors, and review of archival data consisting of mentor application, mentor background checks, mentor training materials, and mentor monitoring logs. This study found that to generate an effective program, best practices must be put in place during the program design of mentor training. The strongest relationship presented in this study was the effectiveness of mentor training offered by the organization for mentors. The relationship shown in this research was that effective mentor training increased mentors feeling of readiness to engage with youth. For future research, it is recommended that research be conducted on a program with a larger mentoring population.