January is National Mentoring Month

National Mentoring Month is when our nation highlights the importance of mentoring and the need for every child to have a caring, consistent adult in his or her life. Research demonstrates that mentoring programs play a powerful role in reducing drug abuse and youth violence, while greatly enhancing a young person's prospects for leading a healthy and productive life.

Throughout the month of January, the Buddy Program, in conjunction with Harvard Mentoring Project and other mentoring programs across the country, will be honoring and recognizing their dedicated volunteers, youth, and staff that make mentoring programs successful.

Thank Your Mentor Day will be celebrated on Thursday, January 21. On that day, the Buddy Program encourages you to think of the mentors in your own life - a teacher, a coach, a family friend, a Big Buddy, or another caring adult - and take a moment to thank them. Let them know what a difference they have made in your life by believing in you and making you feel like you could be anything you wanted to be!