January is National Mentoring Month

(Front row): Shirley Zafft. (Second row, left to right): Jen Kimber, Denise Duffy, Colinne McCann, John Logsdon and Kathy Schwartzhoff. (Third row, left to right): Dennis Osmundson, John Beard, Floyd Ashbacher, Dean Thompson, Carson Eggland and Mark Kuhn

Winneshiek County supervisors have signed a proclamation observing National Mentoring Month in January.

In Winneshiek County, mentoring programs are operated by Helping Services for Northeast Iowa.  Mentors provide a positive adult role model for youth.

Mentoring participants will attend a theatre performance in Decorah during January as part of the observance.  Mentors and mentees will choose to attend a New Minowa Players performance either on Sunday, January 24th or Friday, January 29th.  This event is sponsored by Decorah Rotary Club and Decorah Lions Club.

A study showed that mentored youth have improved relationships with other family members, a better attitude towards school, are less likely to use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, and report a decrease in violent behavior.