National Mentoring Month

This is a HUGE month for SMILES Mentoring and all of the countless mentoring organizations across this Commonwealth and the U.S.A.

The White House has released President Obama's proclamation stating that January is officially National Mentoring Month in America.

The proclamation, in part, reads: "Every day, mentors in communities across our Nation provide crucial support and guidance to young people. Whether a day is spent helping with homework, playing catch, or just listening, these moments can have an enormous, lasting effect on a child's life. During National Mentoring Month, we recognize those who give generously of themselves by mentoring young Americans.

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2010 as National Mentoring Month. I call upon public officials, business and community leaders, educators, and Americans across the country to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs."

To do our part in securing National Mentoring Month as a mainstay in the SouthCoast we've partnered up with other local mentoring organizations to get the word out about the power of mentoring.

We've organized two press conferences with our local partners, one in Fall River the other in New Bedford.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/fall-river/news/x532573526/Ceremony-held-in-Fall-River-to-recognize-mentoring-volunteers

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090123/NEWS/901230343/1011/TOWN10

SMILES is also collaborating with Big Friends, Little Friends and Big Brother, Big Sister to host the SOUTHCOAST MENTORING RALLY taking place on Wednesday, January 27th from 6-7:30pm at UMASS Dartmouth - Woodland Commons building.

We're looking to have a large turnout of mentors, mentees, program staff and prospective mentors at the rally! We will be showcasing special guests, prizes, music and fun!! All ages are welcome come join us and bring a friend!

We feel truly fortunate in the Southcoast to have such an active and vibrant group of organizations and volunteers serving the youth of this community and we work everyday to inform more people about the power of mentoring!