Every child needs the support and encouragement of a mentor in his or her life - that is this month's "National Mentor Month" theme.

With the month already well underway, local and national organizations are teaming up to raise awareness.

According to a news release, the month-long campaign hopes to mobilize community members, businesses and government institutions in an effort to increase the number of mentors and help young people achieve their potential.

"Every child needs the support of a caring adult in their life," said Lieutenant Governor Gary Herbert in a news release. "The support of a kind, willing heart can forever change the life of a child."

According to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah, children with mentors are 89 percent more likely to have good self-esteem and 72 percent more likely to build healthy relationships with peers.

"Mentors demonstrate the strength, heart and soul of our communities," said Shar Lewis, executive director of the Utah Commission on Volunteers in a news release. "When you choose to mentor a child, you enrich your own life as much as you do the life of a child."

Tanya Brinkerhall, a volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club of Provo, says the organization provides a "good place for parents to bring their kids so that they have a positive influence and are not home alone or getting in trouble."

In honor of mentor month, the Utah Mentoring Partnership along with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah are joining together to meet with legislators. The organizations will pass along letters from mentors and youth involved in the programs about the importance of mentorship.

"We're inviting the entire legislature, before they start the opening session, to come by so that we can express our feelings toward mentoring and the power that it has in people's lives," said Linda Schott, marketing and public relations director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah.

With the kickoff of the 2009 Utah Legislature on Jan. 26, the organizations hope to urge senators and representatives to continue to support and fund mentoring programs.

The programs "have been proven to prevent teen alcohol and drug abuse, increase graduation rates and decrease delinquent behavior," Schott said.

The Utah Grizzlies have also joined the cause by donating game tickets to charities. Thirty pairs of tickets will be given to Big Brother and Sister mentors.



Copyright Brigham Young University 20 Jan 2009