Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Chair of the Congressional Youth Mentoring Caucus, today joined Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) in introducing a resolution recognizing January 2024 as National Mentoring Month, a time to celebrate the powerful impact of mentoring relationships and raise awareness about the increased need for caring adults to become mentors to youth in their communities.
Research shows that mentors can have a profound positive impact on the educational success of students in the United States, but one-third of young people in the United States feel isolated from meaningful connections with adults outside their homes, resulting in a ‘‘mentoring gap.”
According to MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, young people with a mentor are:
- 52 percent less likely to skip a day of school;
- 55 percent more likely to be enrolled in college;
- 92 percent more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities; and
- 75 percent more likely to hold a leadership position in a club or sports team.
“We all need someone in our corner, but too many young people are feeling isolated from meaningful connections with adults outside their homes,” said Rep. Scanlon. “In light of the challenges our country has faced in recent years, it is more important than ever to ensure young people have access to caring adults like teachers, counselors, faith-based leaders, and coaches – adults uniquely positioned to help young people process their experiences. I’m proud to join Rep. Bacon on this legislation that promotes the creation and expansion of quality mentoring programs to re-engage and support our young people.”
“By empowering our youth through mentorship, we can make their world an encouraging place where they and their situations are understood, and I am pleased to join Rep. Scanlan in leading this legislation to recognize January as National Mentoring Month,” said Rep. Bacon. “As a member of the Congressional Youth Mentoring Caucus, and as a father and grandfather, I truly understand the value of our youth and how a tiny seed of encouragement can flourish into a forest of opportunity. Plus, I wouldn’t have joined the Air Force nor made the rank of Brigadier General without mentors.”
The resolution is endorsed by MENTOR and cosponsored by the following Representatives: Lois Frankel (FL-22), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Lucy McBath (GA-07), Judy Chu (CA-28), Colin Allred (TX-32), David Trone (MD-06), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07), Dina Titus (NV-1), Susie Lee (NV-03), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL).
“Recent research by MENTOR found that, at any given time, one in three young people want a mentor, but cannot find one; a data point that is even more stark among our country’s youngest generation,” said Jermaine Myrie, CEO of MENTOR. “This ‘mentoring gap’ is a call to action for all adults – including policymakers – to cultivate a culture of volunteerism in their community by investing in our young people through mentoring programs. This National Mentoring Month, we thank Rep. Scanlon for her continued leadership in elevating the value of youth mentoring. We look forward to continuing to partner to grow our movement until every young person has the supportive relationships they deserve to help them achieve success and happiness.”
As Chair of both the Congressional Youth Mentoring Caucus and the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, Scanlon is a leading voice in centering policies that keep children safe and provide them with tools that set them up for successful futures. Read about her bipartisan bill to expand access to community mentoring programs for foster youth here.
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