Mentor programs throughout Long Beach and the country celebrate National Mentoring Month in January with a variety of activities. With the campaign’s tagline, “Mentoring Works,” the goal of the month is to draw awareness to mentoring and encourage involvement.
Nationally, a proclamation was issued by President Obama, while locally, Mayor Robert Garcia proclaimed January as National Mentoring Month, thanking the hundreds of mentors in Long Beach. The Long Beach Mentor Connection also is using websites and media outlets to get the word out about the need for mentors.
With a number of different mentoring programs here in Long Beach, there is place for everyone who wants to give back. No special skills are required, and the time it takes is no more than what you spend watching your favorite TV show each week.
Research shows that volunteer mentors can play a powerful role in reducing drug abuse and youth violence as well as boosting academic achievement. Mentors help to build young people’s character and confidence, expand their universe, and help them navigate a path to success. Yet despite these benefits, the gap between the number of mentors and the number of young people who need a mentor continues to grow.
To find out more about mentoring, call Power 4 Youth at (562) 435-2352, email at info@power4youth.org or visit nationalmentoringmonth.org .
