New Yorkers Urged To Thank A Mentor

On Wednesday, January 25, 2006 many Americanswill reach out to honor those individuals who encouraged and guided them when they were growing up, as the nation celebrates the third annual Thank Your Mentor Day.

New York State Senator Thomas P. Morahan, Chairman of the Senate’s Mental Health Committeeurged New Yorkers to participate in Thank Your Mentor Day, a highlight of National Mentoring Month.

"Experts and studies have shown that introducing a mentor into a child's life can prevent drug abuse and youth violence, and help a young person achieve his or her full potential," said the Senator.

The theme for Thank Your Mentor Day is "Who mentored you? Thank them…and pass it on!" The idea behind "Who mentored you?" is to help people connect to the importance of mentoring by encouraging them to think about individuals in their lives during their formative years--family members, teachers, coaches, neighbors, employers, friends--who encouraged them, showed them the ropes, and helped them become who they are today.

The campaign's message is that, today, too many young people do not get enough of that kind of support; mentoring programs can help fill the gap but need more volunteers.

President George W. Bush and former President Bill Clinton are playing prominent roles in National Mentoring Month 2006, along with numerous governors and mayors. President Bush issued a proclamation designating January 2006 as National Mentoring Month, stating, "Mentors help children resist peer pressure, achieve results in school, stay off drugs, and make the right choices. Many people become mentors because of the impact of a mentor in their own lives, creating a chain of compassion over the course of generations."

Senator Morahan noted that Thank Your Mentor Day promotes "Three Ways to Honor your Mentor":

A recent report from the Harvard School of Public Health/MetLife Foundation Initiative on Retirement and Civic Engagement has documented an "unprecedented opportunity" on the horizon to mobilize leading-edge Boomers to share their experience and skills as community volunteers.

The campaign's national nonprofit partners include: The Advertising Council, America's Promise--The Alliance for Youth, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, The Child Welfare League of America, Communities In Schools, Everybody Wins, The GRAMMY Foundation, Mentoring USA, National Association of Broadcasters, National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, Partnership for a Drug-Free America, Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network, Save the Children, and United Way.

For more information on NMM 2006, visit www.WhoMentoredYou.org.

Thank Your Mentor Day™ is a trademarked initiative of the Harvard School of Public Health.

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