Mentor In Real Life: Celebrate National Mentoring Month

January 2016 marks the 15th anniversary of National Mentoring Month, a time to honor the many adults who offer their encouragement, support, and guidance to our nation's youth. This month's theme, Mentor In Real Life, encourages conversation about the many real world benefits that kids gain through directly interacting with caring adults, like social emotional learning, improved self esteem, and career development.

According to Mentoring.org, 9 million children are still in need of a responsible mentor to help them navigate the formative early stages of their lives. Afterschool programs provide a natural home for connecting these children with the mentors they need. For example, the cadets of West Point are helping nearby elementary and middle school students gain critical math and reasoning skills in a new program called Cadets 4 Kids.

“[Cadets 4 Kids] supports our students at many levels, not only academically, but socially,” said Highland Falls Intermediate School counselor Patti Lofaro in an article about the program. “Having someone to work with them and establishing that mentoring role is invaluable.”

There are many ways you can get involved in National Mentoring Month this January:

• Find a National Mentoring Month ambasssador in your state
• Celebrate International Mentoring Day on January 17, in honor of famed boxer Muhammed Ali's birthday.
• Help improve your community on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on January 18
• Express appreciation to a mentor you know on Thank Your Mentor Day, January 21

You can learn more about upcoming events, social media outreach, and the basics of how to Mentor In Real Life in this Partner Activation Toolkit.