KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Governor Sam Brownback signed a proclamation declaring January 2015 as “Kansas Mentoring Month,” recognizing the importance of mentoring and encouraging Kansans to look for opportunities to serve as a mentor.
Research shows that mentoring has long-term benefits on youth by increasing their chances of high school graduation and college attendance, and decreasing the likelihood of substance abuse and other risky behaviors.
However, a recent report, The Mentoring Effect, shows that one in three young people indicated that they never had a mentor while they were growing up.
“Mentoring is on the rise both on a local and national scale. We are proud to be part of this movement to connect young people with caring adults,” said Cheri Faunce, Director of Kansas Mentors. “We are grateful that Governor Brownback has chosen to highlight mentoring and ‘Kansas Mentoring Month’ in this proclamation, and hope it brings awareness to the need that we have for mentors.”
Mentors, mentees and staff from the Topeka Youth Project and Women Empowerment, Inc. joined staff from Kansas Mentors and the Kansas Volunteer Commission for the proclamation signing ceremony on December 19, 2014.
Kansas’ celebration of National Mentoring Month joins a national effort spearheaded by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, the Harvard School of Public Health, and the Highland Street Foundation. To learn more visit: www.nationalmentoringmonth.org.
Kansas Mentors currently partners with over 175 mentoring programs across the state. The organization is committed to providing every young Kansan access to a caring and quality mentor through recruitment, awareness, and training efforts.
To learn more about mentoring and ways to get involved, visit the Kansas Mentors website at www.KansasMentors.org.
