CHARLOTTE, NC – January is National Mentoring Month, and
this year the City of Charlotte is celebrating the annual campaign aimed at
expanding quality mentoring opportunities to connect more of our community’s
young people with caring adults through several local events.
Mentors play a powerful role in providing young people with
the tools to make responsible choices, attend and engage in school, and reduce
or avoid risky behavior like drug use. In turn, these young people are:
- 55% more likely to be enrolled in college.
- 81% more likely to report participating regularly in
sports or extracurricular activities.
- 78% more likely to volunteer regularly in their
communities.
- More than twice as likely to say they held a leadership
position in a club or sports team.
Yet, the same research
shows that one in three young people in our country will grow up without a
mentor. To bridge this gap, the Mayor’s Mentoring Alliance is hosting a series
of trainings and events during National Mentoring Month to connect adults who
are interested in becoming a mentor or want to participate in a mentoring
organization.
Mentor 101 Training
Jan. 10, 5:30 p.m., The Carole Hoefener Center
To celebrate Charlotte’s 250th birthday, the
Mayor’s Mentoring Alliance has set a goal of training 250 new mentors. This
training will teach attendees the fundamental skills that shape an effective
mentor.
Mayor’s Mentoring Alliance Awards
Jan. 17, 6 p.m.
At this event, the Mayor’s Mentoring Alliance will honor mentors, mentees, and
mentoring organizations in the categories of Mentor of the Year, Mentee of the
Year, Best Collaboration in Mentoring, Grassroots Mentoring Organization of the
Year, Law Enforcement Mentoring Partner of the Year, Educator Mentoring Partner
of the Year.
Mayor’s Mentoring Alliance Mentor Mingle
Jan. 31, 6 p.m., Heist Brewery
Do you want to learn about mentoring? And meet others who are interested in
mentoring? During our Mentor Mingle, come out and connect with individuals and
organizations who can provide mentor/mentee opportunities.
National Mentoring Month is led by MENTOR: The National
Mentoring Partnership, the national organization working to expand the quality
and quantity of youth mentoring relationships nationwide. Each year since its
launch in 2002, National Mentoring Month has enjoyed the strong support of the
President and the United States Congress. Other prominent individuals who have
participated in the campaign include Maya Angelou, former President Bill
Clinton, Clint Eastwood, Quincy Jones, Cal Ripken Jr., Bill Russell, and Usher.
To learn more about the Mayor’s Mentoring Alliance and
Charlotte events for National Mentoring Month, visit http://www.charlottenc.gov/mma.