Reps. Susan Davis and Tom Marino Introduce Resolution Recognizing January as National Mentoring Month

Press Release

Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA) and Rep. Tom Marino (R-PA) introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing January as National Mentoring Month to encourage caring adults in communities across the nation to become mentors and celebrate the powerful impact that mentoring programs have every day in the lives of young people. In the United States, 1 in 3 young people are growing up without a mentor constituting the mentoring gap in our nation.

"As someone who helped create and run a mentoring program, I have seen firsthand the positive impact mentoring can have," said Rep. Davis. "Mentoring is a win-win where the mentor and mentee both benefit from the experience. It's critical that we encourage more people to take on the role of a mentor to make a difference in the lives of others."

Young adults who face an opportunity gap but have a mentor are 55% more likely to be enrolled in college than those who did not have a mentor. Students who meet regularly with their mentors are 52% less likely than their peers to skip a day of school and 37% less likely to skip a class. Young people with mentors are 46% less likely than their peers to start using drugs. These numbers demonstrate the real life impact that mentoring has on a young person's life.

"Every child deserves to have someone they can look up to, rely on, and to provide emotional support and guidance," said Rep. Marino. "Mentoring is a critical component in young people's lives, helping them make decisions and connections that lead to improved opportunities. This resolution will ensure that we raise awareness for the importance of mentoring and ensure every child has the opportunity to pursue their dreams, start great careers, and raise loving families of their own."

Research shows that 44% of adults in the United States are not yet mentoring but are willing to consider it and during National Mentoring Month adults from every community can step up and learn how to become mentors.

"Mentoring programs provide young people with the social capital, confidence and support they need to thrive in their communities, at school and at work," said David Shapiro, president and CEO of MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership. "During National Mentoring Month and throughout the year we celebrate the positive role of mentors and mentoring programs in threading our social fabric and expanding opportunities. We encourage all adults to get engaged in the mentoring movement by supporting mentoring programs, stepping up to volunteer as mentors, and ensuring young people have the proven relationships they need for healthy development and productive, fulfilling lives."

National Mentoring Month is led by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, the national organization working to expand the quality and quantity of youth mentoring relationships nationwide.

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