January is National Mentoring Month

Row 1 (left to right): Hannah O'Polka, Luther College Mentoring Intern; Colinne McCann, IDPH Youth Mentoring AmeriCorps member & parent; Jessica Jensen-Rupp, mentor; Shirley Zafft, Steering Committee member & parent. Row 2 (left to right): Don Arendt, Decorah mayor and Youth Mentoring Ambassador; Kathy Schwartzhoff, Mentoring Coordinator; Colleen Wetli, mentor and Steering Committee member; Denise Duffy, mentor; John Logsdon, supervisor; Floyd Ashbacher, supervisor. Row 3 (left to right): Mark Kuhn, supervisor; John Beard, supervisor; Carson Eggland, Executive Director, Helping Services for Youth and Families; Dean Thompson, supervisor; Dennis Osmundson, Fund Development; Ben Steines, Auditor

On Monday morning, the Winneshiek County supervisors signed a proclamation observing National Mentoring Month in January.

In Winneshiek County, mentoring programs are available for youth ages 5 - 16 under the direction of Helping Services for Youth and Families. According to the Helping Services website, mentoring allows youth to connect with caring adults who can help them aspire, achieve, and develop to their fullest potential. When youth have this type of support network, the youth, their families, and their community all benefit. In 2016, the mentoring program served 119 youth in Winneshiek County.

The theme for this year's mentoring program is, "Be a hero. Become a mentor." If you would like to learn more about mentoring, visit www.helpingservices.org/services/youth-mentoring-services/