January is National Mentoring Month

Shawn and Sam enjoy spending time together

The National Mentoring Month theme in Winneshiek County in January will be "Be A Hero, Become A Mentor! "

39 Winneshiek County residents are mentors to a local youth. Helping Services for Youth & Families is recognizing those volunteers this month during National Mentoring Month.
 
Mentoring has a positive impact on youth, and some are without this type of role model. Nine million kids in America say they are growing up without adults whom they can turn to. In this area, 23 youth are currently waiting for a mentor. Research shows that mentored youth are apt to learn more, earn more, and live healthier lives. Mentored youth have a greater chance of avoiding negative influences, such as substance abuse, bullying, or dropping out of school.
 
A National Mentoring Month proclamation will be signed at the Winneshiek County Courthouse at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.  The mentoring program will also be recognized for its 20 years of operation.

Visit www.helpingservices.org/mentoring to request a mentoring application, or contact Kathy Schwartzhoff at (563) 387-1720.