January is National Mentoring Month!

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SASKATOON AND AREA CELEBRATES NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH WITH CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS THE BENEFITS OF MENTORING AND NEED OF MENTORS IN OUR CITY

Saskatoon, SK – January is National Mentoring Month, and this year Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saskatoon and Area is celebrating the annual campaign aimed at expanding quality mentoring opportunities to connect more of our community’s young people with caring adults by raising awareness all month long by sharing stories of the benefits and need for more mentors in our city.

“Young people need connection at this time from caring, supportive, and unconditional relationships with caring adults. National Mentoring Month allows us to focus on this need. Please consider becoming a mentor today.”– Kim Megyesi, Executive Director

Research shows that mentors play a POWERFUL role in providing young people with the tools to make responsible choices, attend and engage in school, and reduce or avoid risky behaviour like drug use. In turn, these young people are:

55% more likely to be enrolled in college
81% more likely to report participating regularly in sports or extracurricular activities.
78% more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities.
More than twice as likely to say they held a leadership position in a club or sports team.

Yet, the same research shows that one in three young people in our country will grow up without a mentor. Today, in Saskatoon and Area, there are 96 kids who could benefit from having a mentor.

National Mentoring Month is the time of year where engagement from community members interested in becoming a mentor is highest. This year, with the support of the mentoring community, we are encouraging the public to go beyond just digital engagement – and become involved in real life. Mentoring relationships are at their best when connections are made between a caring adult and a young person who knows that someone is there to help guide them through those real life decisions.

In our community, people can can get involved by clicking here!

“I’ve been a mentor in the Circle Program for 3 years and what a ride it’s been. The idea behind becoming a mentor was always appealing but it far exceeded my expectations. It’s changed my outlook and perspective immensely. It’s given me the opportunity to show my little things I wished I had known and learnt at that age. It’s given me the opportunity to give back to society. Through volunteering and community engagement my little and I have made an impact and i hope I’ve taught him that even the small guys can make a big impact.”

– Devin, Volunteer

National Mentoring Month is led by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, with support from the Highland Street Foundation. Each year since its launch in 2002, National Mentoring Month has enjoyed the strong support of the President and the United States Congress. Other prominent individuals who have participated in the campaign include: Maya Angelou, former President Bill Clinton, Clint Eastwood, Quincy Jones, Cal Ripken Jr., Bill Russell and Usher.

To learn more about the role mentoring plays in our community and to find volunteer opportunities CLICK HERE

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saskatoon and Area

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saskatoon and Area has been facilitating developmental mentoring relationships in for 48 years. Many young people face adversities in their lives, resulting in toxic stress that can negatively impact their development. With the support of a mentor, young people can overcome these adversities and develop the confidence to reach their full potential. Our mentors are adults who create a positive developmental relationship with a young person, providing guidance, support, and constructive role modelling. LEARN MORE ABOUT BBBS SASKATOON BY CLICKING HERE