January 1-31

National Mentoring Month

Make a difference this National Mentoring Month - join our community and help support young people on their journey to success!

Yearly Date

January 1

Observed in

United States

Introduction

Ring in the New Year by celebrating National Mentoring Month in January ! This month is dedicated to recognizing the positive impact of mentorship and how it can help shape our future leaders. Mentoring has been around for centuries, with its roots in ancient Greece when mentors would impart wisdom and knowledge onto their students. Today, mentoring can come in many forms, from a teacher or coach to a mentor at work or even an online program. No matter what form it takes, mentoring can be an incredibly powerful tool to inspire and empower others. Let's celebrate National Mentoring Month by recognizing all the great mentors out there who dedicate their time and energy to making a difference!

National Mentoring Month Timeline

1800s

Mentorship in Education

The concept of mentoring becomes increasingly recognized as a vital tool in education, guiding young learners in their intellectual development.

1930s

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters, one of the first established mentoring organizations, expands its reach nationwide, emphasizing the impact of one-to-one mentoring.

1970s

Mentorship in Business

The business world begins to adopt mentoring programs for new hires and rising professionals, fostering leadership skills and company knowledge.

1990

"Mentor: Guiding the Journey of Adult Learners"

Laurent A. Daloz's seminal book on mentorships is published, highlighting their importance and proposing a new framework for effective mentoring.

2002

National Mentoring Month

The Harvard School of Public Health and MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership launch National Mentoring Month to recognize the impact of mentoring.

2010s

Digital Mentoring

With the advent of digital platforms, online mentoring becomes a popular form, allowing mentors and mentees to connect regardless of geographical distances.

How to Celebrate National Mentoring Month

1 Volunteer at a mentoring program

Find a local mentoring program or organization and volunteer your time to help mentor those in need. This is a great way to give back to the community while also fostering meaningful relationships.

2 Organize a mentor meetup

Host an event where mentors can meet and connect with each other. This is a great opportunity to network and learn from each other while celebrating National Mentoring Month.

3 Share your story

If you have a story about the impact of mentoring in your life, share it! Whether it’s online or in person, your story could inspire others and remind them of the importance of mentorship.

4 Write a thank you note

Take some time to write a thank you note to a mentor who has had an impact on your life. Expressing gratitude is a great way to show your appreciation for the work they’ve done.

5 Spread the word

Share information about National Mentoring Month on social media and encourage others to get involved. You can also speak to young people about the importance of having mentors in their lives.

Why National Mentoring Month is Important

Mentoring helps to build strong relationships

Having a mentor provides an invaluable connection between an older, more experienced adult and a younger person. It can help to foster understanding, build trust and create new opportunities that may not have been available before. This type of relationship is both beneficial and rewarding!

Mentoring provides role models & advice

The presence of an experienced advisor in your life can provide you with valuable insight and support when making decisions. Whether it's academic, career or personal advice, having someone to turn to who has gone through similar experiences can be extremely helpful in navigating the challenges life throws at us.

Mentoring encourages personal growth

Through mentorship, young people are given the opportunity to grow, both personally and professionally. By learning from mistakes and successes of those who have come before them, they gain important skills such as communication, problem solving and goal setting - all of which will serve them well into adulthood.