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National Mentoring Month 

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What Is National Mentoring Month?

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National Mentoring Month is an annual awareness campaign held every January in the United States to celebrate the impact of mentoring relationships and expand mentoring opportunities for young people. It was launched in 2002 by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to highlight how mentors help youth succeed in school, work, and life. (MENTOR)

This campaign is supported by nonprofits, schools, civic organizations, businesses, and government leaders — including official proclamations from the White House and members of Congress. (Newswire)

 

Why Mentoring Matters

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Mentoring relationships — whether formal or informal — can change a young person’s life by providing:

• More opportunities to volunteer and contribute to community life.

• Higher chances of taking on leadership roles and feeling a sense of belonging.

• Support that improves academic engagement and reduces risky behaviors. (MENTOR)

Research also shows that youth with mentors are much more likely to flourish academically and socially. For example, mentoring can reduce school absences and increase positive attitudes toward education. (National Recreation and Park Association)

 

Key Activities During National Mentoring Month

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January is filled with opportunities to recognize mentoring and take part in events, including:

• “I Am a Mentor Day” — honoring mentors and their impact.

• “Thank Your Mentor Day” — a chance to express gratitude to someone who helped you.

• International Mentoring Day — part of a global movement sharing mentoring stories and connection.

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service — combining service and mentorship. (MENTOR)

During this month, hundreds of organizations also host workshops, mentoring fairs, and volunteer drives to recruit new mentors and support existing ones. (Mentoring Pittsburgh)

 

Goals of the Campaign

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National Mentoring Month aims to:

1. Raise public awareness of the positive role mentoring plays in youth development. (Grizzlies Foundation)

2. Recruit individuals to become mentors in communities with waiting lists. (MENTOR)

3. Grow the mentoring movement by helping organizations involve more volunteers. (MENTOR)

The initiative emphasizes that supportive relationships with caring adults help young people build confidence, expand networks, and pursue future goals. (MENTOR)

 

Who Leads It

The official lead organization for National Mentoring Month is:

👉 MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership — a longtime nonprofit championing quality mentoring relationships nationwide. (Grizzlies Foundation)

They work with a broad coalition of partners — local mentoring affiliates, schools, companies, and nonprofits — to create tools for mentoring programs, public engagement toolkits, and events throughout the month. (MENTOR)

 

How You Can Get Involved

Here are some ways individuals and organizations participate:

🤝 Become a Mentor

You can sign up with local or national mentoring programs to be matched with a young person in need of guidance.

• Use the Mentoring Connector — a national database of mentoring opportunities:
  👉 https://connect.mentoring.org/ (from MENTOR’s platform) (MENTOR)

 

📘 Download Toolkits and Guides

• National Mentoring Month Digital Engagement Toolkit (2026) — sample social media messaging and ways to activate networks during January:
  👉 https://www.mentoring.org/campaigns/national-mentoring-month/ (MENTOR)

 

🧰 Training and Resources

• National Mentoring Resource Center (NMRC) — free training, tools, and information for individuals and programs:
  👉 https://nationalmentoringresourcecenter.org/ (National Mentoring Resource Center)

 

📍 Federal and Government Toolkits

• USDA Disability Mentoring Toolkit — supports agencies and organizations serving people with disabilities:
  👉 (linked via U.S. Department of Education LINCS page) (community.lincs.ed.gov)

 

Conclusion

National Mentoring Month is more than awareness. It’s a nationwide effort to close the mentoring gap, uplift young people, and remind Americans that meaningful relationships matter. Whether you’re a student, professional, volunteer, or community leader, January is a great time to connect, reflect, and take action.

 

Official Websites & Resources

• National Mentoring Month (MENTOR): https://www.mentoring.org/campaigns/national-mentoring-month/(MENTOR)

• Mentoring Connector (find mentoring opportunities): https://connect.mentoring.org/ (MENTOR)

• National Mentoring Resource Center: https://nationalmentoringresourcecenter.org/ (National Mentoring Resource Center)

 

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