2025 National Mentoring Month

Youth Mentoring Celebrates National Mentoring Month

Throughout January, Youth Mentoring has celebrated National Mentoring Month by honoring mentoring friendships and inviting others to get involved in their community by becoming involved in mentoring.

Research shows that mentors play a powerful role in providing youth with the tools to make positive choices, attend and engage in school, and reduce or avoid negative behaviors. In turn, these youth are:

· 55% more likely to be enrolled in college.

· 81% more likely to report participating in sports or extracurricular activities.

· 78% more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities.

· More than twice as likely to say they held a leadership position in a club or sports team.


Yet, the same research shows that one in three youth in our country will grow up without a mentor. There are currently 24 area youth waiting for a mentor. One of those youths is Jack. He is 10 years old and likes swimming, fishing, and the fair. He wants to be a police officer when he grows up. You can find more waiting youth stories at the provided link (*names have been changed for confidentiality) https://bit.ly/YMHSwaitingyouth .

National Mentoring Month is the time of year when engagement from community members interested in mentoring is highest. This year, with the support of the mentoring community, we are encouraging the public to go beyond just digital engagement and become involved in real life.

Thanks to the County Boards of Supervisors’ support, proclamations have been signed all month declaring January as National Mentoring Month in each county.

Individuals, couples, and families can mentor a youth. Mentoring can happen in the community or at select schools. See a friend. Be a friend. Become a mentor! Men are especially needed. Contact us at (563) 387-1720, mentoring@helpingservices.org or visit www.helpingservices.org/mentoring for more information.

Article written by Colinne McCann, Mentoring Coordinator

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