Big Brothers Big Sisters joins National Mentoring Month
Campaign uses social media to promote mentoring 
–This January marks the 15th annual National Mentoring Month and Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County is promoting this year’s theme, “In Real Life,” by, “celebrating the power of authentic mentoring relationships happening throughout the county.”
Other supporters of National Mentoring Month have included: President Obama, Clint Eastwood, Quincy Jones, Maya Angelou, Bill Russell, Cal Ripkin Jr., Usher and former Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush.
Important local and national dates for this public awareness campaign are:
- Jan. 14: “I Am a Mentor Day,” when volunteers in the local communities and across the country will share their stories about being a mentor on social media using #MentorIRL.
- Jan. 21: “Thank Your Mentor Day,” anyone who has had a mentor is encouraged to say thank you by sending a note, a card or sharing a story on social media using #MentorIRL.
“Mentoring in real life is creating a basic human connection that lets a young person know that they matter,” says Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director, Anna Boyd-Bucy, “Mentoring is linked to improved academic, social and economic prospects for our young people, and that ultimately strengthens our community.”
A recent national report called The Mentoring Effect, found young people who were at-risk for not completing high school but who had a mentor were 55-percent more likely to go to college than those who did not have a mentor. They were also 81-percent more likely to report participating regularly in sports or extracurricular activities and 78-percent more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities.
Currently, over 50 youth in SLO County are in-need of and waiting to be matched with a mentor. To learn more about how mentoring makes a difference for our communities and to find volunteer opportunities visit SLObigs.org or call (805) 781-3226.
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