Washington, DC – Today, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing January 2022 as “National Mentoring Month” to celebrate the many ways that mentors uplift and empower young people to reach their full potential. Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) and Jamie Herrera Beutler (R-WA) introduced the resolution in the House.
“A committed mentor makes a profound difference in the life of a young person. Mentors can provide stability and guidance, pass down wisdom, and push their mentee to become the best version of themselves. I am glad to partner with Senator Blunt and Representatives Scanlon and Herrera Beutler to honor the important contributions of all our country’s mentors,” said Whitehouse.
“From academic achievement to career growth and community leadership, mentors have the potential to change the entire trajectory of a young person’s life,” said Blunt. “I’m proud to join Senator Whitehouse and Representatives Scanlon and Herrera Beutler in this effort to encourage more Americans to consider the positive impact sharing their time, knowledge, experience, and support could have on a mentee.”
“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. “The pandemic has dramatically disrupted access to caring adults like teachers, counselors, faith-based leaders, and coaches — adults uniquely positioned to help them process their experiences. So as we look to rebuild from this pandemic, we must invest in meaningful mentoring relationships that can re-engage and support young people during this challenging time. I’m proud to join Senators Whitehouse and Blunt and Representative Herrera Beutler in promoting the creation and expansion of quality mentoring programs.”
“Thank you to Representatives Scanlon and Herrera Beutler, Senators Whitehouse and Blunt, and the bipartisan Congressional Youth Mentoring Caucus, for leading efforts to celebrate and elevate the proven role of mentoring in opening hearts, minds, and doors for our young people and communities. In this 20th year of National Mentoring Month, now more than ever, we cannot leave mentoring to chance and it must be a core part of our response in addressing the unparalleled uncertainty and disconnection resulting from the pandemic. We look forward to continued partnership in ensuring every young person is growing up with the relationships necessary to strive and thrive,” said David Shapiro, CEO of MENTOR.
The resolution recognizes that mentoring encourages youth development and has a positive impact on the growth and success of a young person. According to MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, young people with a mentor are:
- 52% less likely to skip a day of school;
- 55% more likely to be enrolled in college;
- 78% more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities; and
- 130% more likely to hold a leadership position in a club or sports team.
The resolution also acknowledges that one in three young people are growing up without a mentor outside their family, constituting a “mentoring gap,” and underscoring the importance of more adults investing their time in the future of America’s youth.
Whitehouse has led similar resolutions in the 114th, 115th, and 116th sessions of Congress. The 2022 National Mentoring Month resolution is cosponsored by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Kennedy (R-LA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Gary Peters (D-MI), John Barrasso (R-WY), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), John Boozman (R-AR), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Jack Reed (D-RI), James Lankford (R-OK), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mike Braun (R-IN), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK).
The full text of the resolution can be found here.
Rich Davidson (Whitehouse), 202-228-6291,
Tate O’Connor (Blunt), (202) 224-5721
