January is National Mentoring Month

National Mentoring Month 2013 PSAs

January is National Mentoring Month. National Mentoring Month 2013: Mentoring Works! Volunteer as a Mentor! General Colin L. Powell, a spokesperson for the campaign, is featured in a public service announcement (PSA) prepared for broadcast on television and radio. January 2013 will mark the 12th anniversary of National Mentoring Month, an annual media campaign to recruit volunteer mentors for young people. Spearheaded by the Harvard Mentoring Project of the Harvard School of Public Health, MENTOR, and the Corporation for National and Community Service. Research has shown that volunteer mentors can play a powerful role in reducing drug abuse and youth violence as well as boosting academic achievement. Mentors help to build young people's character and confidence, expand their universe, and help them navigate a path to success. Despite these benefits, however, the gap between the number of mentors and the number of young people who need a mentor continues to grow.