January is National Mentoring Month

ALPENA, Mich. – January is national Mentoring Month and it’s a great time to get your children or yourself involved in local programs to help boost confidence.

Research shows that mentors play a powerful role in providing young people with the tools they need to strive and thrive, to attend and engage in school, and to reduce or avoid risky behavior like drug use.

Organizations like United Way of Northeast Michigan and the Boys and Girls Club of Alpena are helping many local kids overcome such obstacles.

Staff at United Way said there’s no better time than the present to utilize area mentoring programs and anyone can benefit.

“It can happen at any stage, whether its young kids, middle aged kids, or young professionals,” said United Way of Northeast Michigan Executive Director Joe Gentry. “I think that’s very valuable to hear your experiences, your positive experiences at any stage.”

Gentry said that mentoring also leads to additional opportunities locally.

“It’s critical for our community,” said Gentry. “That’s primarily where volunteers come from. Volunteering drives a lot of the effort particularly on the non–profit side.”

If you want to make a difference in the community, there are a few mentee and mentoring opportunities available and several volunteer opportunities.

For more information you can visit the United way’s website at www.unitedwaynemi.org or contact the Boys and Girls Blub of Alpena at www.bgcalpena.org.