January is National Mentoring Month. CU One to One Mentoring and Urbana School District #116 are celebrating the annual campaign aimed at expanding quality mentoring opportunities to connect more young people with caring adults.
The following local events celebrate and thank over 500 current CU community-based mentors and offer recruitment opportunities for prospective mentors.
January 18: Mentor Breakfast | 7:15-8:30 a.m. | Stone Creek Church, 2502 S. Race St, Urbana. Current mentors and interested mentors are invited to attend for a light breakfast and presentation from Dr. Ed Fitch entitled “Communication and Emotional First Aid”.
January 25: Thank Your Mentor Day: Mentor Benefit Cards are good all day at participating businesses.* Local businesses celebrate the positive impact of mentors in our schools with giveaways on Jan. 25 for mentors.
January 25: Connect 4 Mentoring | 6-8 p.m. | Harvest Market – Farmhouse Restaurant (upstairs), 2029 S. Neil, Champaign. Want to know more about mentoring? Join Mentor Coordinators and current mentors at this social and get your questions answered.
New Mentor Recruitment: To sign up for New Mentor training, contact Angie Armstrong: aarmstrong@usd116.org
- Tuesday, January 30: Champaign Mellon Building, 703 S. New, Champaign | 6:30-8:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, February 7: Champaign Mellon Building, 703 S. New, Champaign | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
- Thursday, February 22: Urbana Middle School, 1201 S. Vine, Urbana | 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Young adults who had a meaningful mentor:
- 74% said that person contributed significantly to their success later in life.
- 69% said their mentoring relationship has helped them with issues related to their education.
- 58% said their mentor has supported their mental health.
511 public school children in Champaign-Urbana currently have mentors, but there are more that would like a mentor. Mentoring relationships are powerful tools for connection and are critical to our country’s future. Go beyond digital connection and become a mentor in real life.
*Participating businesses include: Art Mart, Body n’ Sole, Enchantment Ally, Golden Weather Goods, Hacienda Agave, The Idea Store, Siam Terrace, Smith Burger Food Truck, Ten Thousand Villages, Walnut Street Tea Co.
