HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRO-2021-003 National Mentoring Month Proclamation ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH
WHEREAS , January 2021 marks the 19th anniversary of National Mentoring Month , an annual
campaign to focus attention on the need for mentors , as well as how each of us can work
together to increase the number of mentors to help ensure positive outcomes for our young
people ; and
WHEREAS , Orange County honors volunteer mentors who support young people by showing
up for them and demonstrating their commitment to helping them thrive ; and
WHEREAS , mentoring programs such as MENTOR North Carolina make our communities and
our state stronger by building meaningful relationships that increase social capital for young
people and provide invaluable support networks ; and
WHEREAS , during the COVID - 19 pandemic , mentoring programs have stepped up to fill gaps
for young people and families , connecting them with resources and ensuring that mentoring
relationships continue virtually to ensure social connection despite physical distancing ; and
WHEREAS , mentoring plays a pivotal role in career exploration and supports workplace skills
by helping young people set career goals , equipping mentors with the skills needed to support
the professional growth of young people , and driving positive outcomes for young people and
businesses ; and
WHEREAS , quality mentoring promotes healthy relationships and communication , self- esteem ,
emotional growth and well - being for young people ; and
WHEREAS , students who meet regularly with their mentors are more than 52 percent less likely
than their peers to skip a day of school , and youth who face an opportunity gap and have a
mentor are 55 percent more likely to be enrolled in college than those who without a mentor ;
and
WHEREAS , youth who meet regularly with their mentors are 46 percent less likely than their
peers to start using drugs and 27 percent less likely to start drinking ; and
WHEREAS , almost half of adults today report having a mentor in their youth and those rates
appear to have been rising steadily over the past several decades , and
WHEREAS , National Mentoring Month is the time of year to celebrate and promote mentors ,
mentees and the mentoring movement ;
NOW , THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED , that the Orange County Board of County
Commissioners does hereby proclaim January 2021 as National Mentoring Month in Orange
County and encourages members of the community to elevate and encourage mentoring
throughout our county , the state and the nation for the sake of our younger generations and the
future .
This the 19th day of January , 2021 .
Renee Price , Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners