Helping Services for Youth & Families to celebrate National Mentoring Month
Volunteer mentors needed in Allamakee County ... January is National Mentoring Month. Helping Services for Youth & Families is celebrating mentoring friendships and inviting others to engage in their community by becoming involved. Pictured above, volunteer mentors and mentees: Elaine, Ebreanna, Jaidon, and Linus enjoyed attending a performance of The Wizard of Oz in December. Photo courtesy of Kathy Schwartzhoff.
January is National Mentoring Month. Helping Services for Youth & Families is celebrating mentoring friendships and inviting others to engage in their community by becoming involved.
Mentoring has a positive impact on both the youth and the volunteer mentor. The need for positive role models is extremely vital as families deal with the stresses of raising youth in today’s world. There are currently 19 area youth that want a friend to spend time with. One of those youth is Evan. He is 6 years old and likes to draw, be outside, take things apart, and swim. He wants to be a doctor when he grows up.
Volunteer mentors do not do this alone. Colinne McCann, Mentoring Coordinator at Helping Services shares, “We, at Helping Services, provide volunteers with the tools and training they need to be successful. We share activity ideas and provide fun and safe events, making it a rewarding way to volunteer.”
There are many exciting opportunities during the month to celebrate. January 6, mentors, mentees, Mentors For A Day, waiting youth, and their families will gather for a special group event called “Pets & Potluck”. At the potluck from 12-1 p.m., location to be announced, attendees will enjoy a meal together to celebrate National Mentoring Month. From 1-3 p.m., pets and their owners will join in. Participants will move to stations to see, hear about, and pet animals like a bearded dragon, a show dog, a parrot, a ferret, bunnies, and chicks. Everyone will learn about how to care for each pet.
Proclamations are being signed with the County Boards of Supervisors Monday, January 8 at 9:30 a.m. in Winneshiek County, 10:30 a.m. in Allamakee County, and 1 p.m. in Howard County. All friends and supporters of mentoring are welcome to attend one or all proclamation signings to share about the impact of mentoring and help declare January National Mentoring Month.
Various forms of advertising will be distributed throughout the area including posters, table tents, stickers to be placed on to-go food orders, and ads on media sources.
Individuals, couples, and families can mentor a youth. Mentoring can happen in the community or at select schools where a youth attends. Be a friend, become a mentor. Men are especially needed.
Contact Colinne or Kathy at 563-387-1720 or mentoring@helpingservices.org or visit www.helpingservices.org/mentoring for more information.
