Reclaiming Our Way promoting the well-being of African American children & families

January is National Mentoring Month – Be Someone that Matters, To Someone that Matters!

January is National Mentoring Month, and thus an excellent time to make a positive difference in someone else's life.  I'm clear that I've benefitted tremendously because of the example, guidance and encouragement I've received by mentors - formally and informally.  In fact, I've yet to meet anyone who hasn't benefitted in some way, by someone else's example.  Take a moment today, and throughout this month, to create new and deliberate opportunities to guide someone else coming along.

The following are 10 things everyone is encouraged to consider doing, offered by the National Mentoring Month Campaign...

1. Learn more about mentoring and become a mentor in your community.
2. Join "I Am a Mentor" Day on January 9 and share your experience on social media using #SomeoneWhoMatters.
3. Partner with a mentoring organization to expand quality mentoring opportunities for young people in your community.
4. Share stories about mentoring in your community on social media using #MentoringWorks!
5. Thank your mentor on January 16, during “Thank Your Mentor Day!” Think about the mentors in your life, send them a thank you card and tell them thank you on social media using #SomeoneWhoMatters.
6. Read the latest research and find resources on mentoring.
7. Serve your community on MLK Day of Service, January 20, , by looking for a mentoring opportunity in your area.
8. Make a donation to a mentoring organization in your community.
9. Download and use all of the National Mentoring Month marketing and video materials to raise awareness and recruit volunteers.
10. Explore ways to help children succeed academically through mentoring.

For those of you who are interested in learning more about National Mentoring Month, and how you can get more involved, you're welcome to view the Webinar on Leveraging National Mentoring Month, just below the following brief PSA.