Governor signs proclamation declaring January Kansas Mentoring Month
TOPEKA – Gov. Sam Brownback signed a proclamation Dec. 20 declaring January “Kansas Mentoring Month” to recognize the importance of mentoring and to encourage more Kansans to serve as mentors in their communities.
Mentoring matches and staff from Boy Scouts Jayhawk Area Council and Communities in Schools of Kansas along with a Kansas Mentors Advisory Council member representing Kansas Parent Teacher Association and Kansas Mentors, the state’s mentoring partnership, joined Governor Brownback for the signing.
“I encourage all Kansans to learn more about mentoring,” said Kansas State Head Football Coach Bill Snyder, chair of Kansas Mentors. “Whether it is an hour over your lunch or one evening a week, serving as a caring role model to a young person will likely be one of the most rewarding and worthwhile investments you will make.”
Research shows that mentoring has long-term benefits for youth by increasing their chances of high school graduation and college attendance and decreasing the likelihood of substance abuse and other risky behaviors.
“There are 20,000 youth on waiting lists in Kansas alone needing a mentor,” said Cheri Faunce, Director of Kansas Mentors. “We are thrilled that Governor Brownback has chosen to highlight Kansas Mentoring Month in this proclamation, and hope that it brings awareness to the need that we have for mentors.”
Kansas Mentors is currently partnered with more than185 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.
Kansas’ celebration of National Mentoring Month joins a national effort spearheaded by the Harvard School of Public Health, MENTOR, the Corporation for National and Community Service, OJJDP, and United Way. To learn more visit: www.nationalmentoringmonth.org.