By Colonel Ben L. Walton, US Army (Ret.)
January is National Mentoring Month. The purpose of the 31 day celebration is to draw attention to the need for more volunteer mentors to help young people achieve their full potential in life as they grow.
Inaugurated in 2002, the Harvard School of Public Health, MENTOR and the Corporation for National and Community Service, has spearheaded the movement from the beginning. Furthermore, every US president, since the commemoration started, has endorsed the activity with a proclamation. In addition, participants in past National Mentoring Month have included leading profit making businesses, nonprofit organizations, state governors and community leaders at various levels throughout the country.
A highlight of National Mentoring Month is ‘Thank You Mentor Day.’ During that period Americans are encouraged to contact their mentor in their own community, make a financial contribution to a local mentoring program, or post a tribute on WhoMentoredYou.org.
In his presidential proclamation for National Mentoring Month 2016 President Obama said this, among other things: “At the heart of America’s promise is the belief that we all do better when everyone has a fair shot at reaching their dreams. Throughout our Nation’s history, Americans of every background have worked to uphold this ideal, joining together in common purpose to serve as mentors and lift up our country’s youth. During National Mentoring Month we honor all those who continuously strive to provide young people with the resources and support they need and deserve, and we recommit to building a society in which all mentors and mentees can thrive in mutual learning relationships.”
Reflecting back, in May 2014 Pamela Laird, professor and chair of history, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, was interviewed by the American Association of University Women as part of the organization’s celebration of National Mentoring Month. During the exchange, Laird described the implications of mentoring in a networking setting. She said: “Creating a community and network of personal relationship is more valuable than the immediate results of professional networking. The nice thing about networking and volunteering is that even it doesn’t have a professional benefit mentoring is doing work that builds community. So it’s valuable in itself.” Laird received the University of Colorado Denver Mentor of the Year Award 2016.
Readers, during January 2017, by whatever ways and means possible, do whatever you can in observance of National Mentoring Month.
Photo Credit: WhoMentoredYou.org