BBBS to Observe National Mentoring Month in January
By: Press Release
Updated: December 18, 2012
The 12th annual National Mentoring Month will be observed in January 2013.
The campaign provides Big Brothers Big Sisters a wonderful opportunity, as the largest mentoring organization in the country, to attract attention to the value of mentoring, recruit mentors and generate contributions.
President Obama has continued to support National Mentoring Month. "Every day, mentors help young Americans face the challenges of growing into adulthood," said President Barack Obama. "By setting a positive example and sharing their time, knowledge and experience, mentors play an essential role in preparing our Nation's youth for a bright future. During National Mentoring Month, we celebrate the contributions of all those who cultivate a supportive environment for the next generation, and we recommit to expanding mentorship opportunities across our country."
The Abilene agency hopes that current and potential mentors will be encouraged as they are reminded of the power of mentoring in the local media.
"I feel it is important because it is a time to say thank you to those who choose to be mentors, as well as take time to recognize the importance of every child having a mentor in their lives," said Match Support Coordinator Rebekah West.
This January also marks the 34th anniversary of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Abilene. The first match was made in 1979 when members of the Abilene Mental Health Association board saw that many children in our area were in need of a mentor.
"National Mentoring Month recognizes those who give their time to be a mentor," continues West. "Far too often, mentors are not recognized or appreciated as much as they should be. Mentors make more of an impact on the lives of their mentees than they will ever know. Taking a month to recognize their hard work is important and can motivate them to continue doing so, even though they may not always see how much of a difference they are making."
A recent Harris interactive survey of adults who participated in the BBBS program as children found that:
90 percent agreed their Big made them feel better about themselves
81 percent said their Big caused them to change what they thought was possible in life
77 percent set higher goals than they would have on their own
42 percent earned a degree from a four-year college compared to just 22% of their fathers and 25% of their mothers
As a highlight of National Mentoring Month 2012, Thank Your Mentor Day will be celebrated on January 26. On that day, many Americans will reach out to thank or honor those individuals who encouraged and guided them, and had a lasting, positive impact on their lives.
Thank Your Mentor Day promotes "Three Ways to Honor Your Mentor":
1. Contact your mentor directly to express your appreciation;
2. Pass on what you received by becoming a mentor to a young person in your community;
3. Make a financial contribution to a local mentoring program.
For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters, please contact the Abilene agency at 325-674-3113 or email jbearden@bbbstx.org.
The campaign provides Big Brothers Big Sisters a wonderful opportunity, as the largest mentoring organization in the country, to attract attention to the value of mentoring, recruit mentors and generate contributions.
President Obama has continued to support National Mentoring Month. "Every day, mentors help young Americans face the challenges of growing into adulthood," said President Barack Obama. "By setting a positive example and sharing their time, knowledge and experience, mentors play an essential role in preparing our Nation's youth for a bright future. During National Mentoring Month, we celebrate the contributions of all those who cultivate a supportive environment for the next generation, and we recommit to expanding mentorship opportunities across our country."
The Abilene agency hopes that current and potential mentors will be encouraged as they are reminded of the power of mentoring in the local media.
"I feel it is important because it is a time to say thank you to those who choose to be mentors, as well as take time to recognize the importance of every child having a mentor in their lives," said Match Support Coordinator Rebekah West.
This January also marks the 34th anniversary of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Abilene. The first match was made in 1979 when members of the Abilene Mental Health Association board saw that many children in our area were in need of a mentor.
"National Mentoring Month recognizes those who give their time to be a mentor," continues West. "Far too often, mentors are not recognized or appreciated as much as they should be. Mentors make more of an impact on the lives of their mentees than they will ever know. Taking a month to recognize their hard work is important and can motivate them to continue doing so, even though they may not always see how much of a difference they are making."
A recent Harris interactive survey of adults who participated in the BBBS program as children found that:
90 percent agreed their Big made them feel better about themselves
81 percent said their Big caused them to change what they thought was possible in life
77 percent set higher goals than they would have on their own
42 percent earned a degree from a four-year college compared to just 22% of their fathers and 25% of their mothers
As a highlight of National Mentoring Month 2012, Thank Your Mentor Day will be celebrated on January 26. On that day, many Americans will reach out to thank or honor those individuals who encouraged and guided them, and had a lasting, positive impact on their lives.
Thank Your Mentor Day promotes "Three Ways to Honor Your Mentor":
1. Contact your mentor directly to express your appreciation;
2. Pass on what you received by becoming a mentor to a young person in your community;
3. Make a financial contribution to a local mentoring program.
For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters, please contact the Abilene agency at 325-674-3113 or email jbearden@bbbstx.org.
