National Mentoring Month: The Benefits of Mentoring

Student holds up a STEM kit, assembled by a group of employee volunteers, just before the holiday season. Image via the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver.

Since 2002, National Mentoring Month has been celebrated each January. The goal of the campaign — which is spearheaded by the Harvard School of Public Health, MENTOR, and the Corporation for National and Community Service — is to promote youth mentoring throughout the country.

The benefits of mentoring are nearly too numerous to list for both the mentor and the mentee, which is why mentoring is a staple in many after school programs like Boys & Girls Clubs across the country, Chicago’s Off The Street Club, and others. The idea of mentoring can often be intimidating, though. In addition to the time commitment, many individuals wonder If they really can make a difference in a child’s life. Apprehensive adults need not worry, though.

Mentors are simply caring adults who are interested in spending time with a child. They don’t need to be teachers or have years of babysitting experience. They only need to be good listeners and ready to encourage the children they mentor! Mentors can read books, play sports, complete arts or crafts projects, and/or take part in other activities with their mentees.

But, with many demands on an adult’s time, why choose to mentor? 

Benefits for mentors include: 

• Increased self-esteem and improved sense of accomplishment 

•  A new network (personal and/or professional) 

• Gaining insights into childhood 

• Increased patience 

• Improved supervisory skills 

Studies show that benefits for mentees include: 

• Improved self-esteem and self-confidence

• Increased interest in school, including increased high school graduation rates

• Improved relationships with peers and family members

• Improved communication and interpersonal skills

• Decreased drug and alcohol use / abuse 

Many of our nonprofit partners have mentorship opportunities available. However, until it’s safe for individuals to gather in-person, many mentorship opportunities have been transformed into virtual experiences.

If you’d like to help kids, but don’t want to commit to mentoring quite yet, consider our At-Home Experience that lets volunteers assemble STEM kits for students. Give To Get ensures that all volunteers receive the items they need to assemble the kits. They are also invited to meet with nonprofit representatives who can explain the nonprofit’s mission, the students they serve, and how long-term volunteers, like mentors, can assist them.