Some of us grew up with the perfect mentor - someone who advised us and inspired us to become the people we are today. There are also those of us who had no positive role model at all, or at least no one who dedicated themselves to looking out for our development into responsible, successful adults.
Whether either scenario fits you perfectly, or you fall somewhere in between, that should be all the incentive necessary for you to reach out to a child who needs and deserves a mentor today.
January is National Mentoring Month, a movement that started in 2002 as a way of encouraging Americans to mentor our youth, and honoring those who do. One organization that goes one step further - carrying the spirit of mentoring into every month of the year - is iMentor.
iMentor is non-profit organization in New York City that facilitates mentoring relationships between adults and youth. The program involves:
- Weekly email communications between the mentor and the mentee on a wide range of topics, such as voting, finances, college tuition and networking skills
- Monthly in-person meetings for educational field trips within the community
Best of all, iMentor extends its mentoring expertise beyond its New York City limits, offering its tools and training to other non-profit organizations that need help developing their own mentor programs.
To make the most of National Mentoring Month, contact local youth organizations - such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America - and ask about mentoring opportunities today. Or if you happen to live in the New York City area, visit iMentor for more information on how to get involved with your local youth today.
Source: BecauseAction.com
