January 2025 marks the 23rd anniversary of National Mentoring Month, a nationwide campaign to highlight the importance of mentorship and inspire more people to become mentors.
Snoqualmie and North Bend are joining the celebration with proclamations from their respective mayors, emphasizing the value of mentoring programs in creating positive outcomes for young people.
In Snoqualmie, Mayor Katherine Ross issued a proclamation recognizing the impact of mentorship on the community. The proclamation highlights the role of programs like Youth Success Mentoring, offered through the Empower Youth Network, in fostering healthy relationships, promoting career exploration, and supporting young people as they navigate life’s challenges.
Mayor Ross and the Snoqualmie City Council commend local mentors for their dedication to helping youth thrive and encourage residents to consider joining mentoring initiatives to further strengthen the community.
Similarly, North Bend Mayor Mary Miller issued a proclamation encouraging residents to support mentoring programs and express gratitude to those already serving as mentors.
Mayor Miller underscored how impactful relationships between mentors and mentees reduce opportunity gaps, improve school attendance, and discourage risky behaviors like substance use. Programs such as Youth Success Mentoring provide critical support and guidance, equipping young people with tools for personal and professional growth.
Both proclamations emphasize the broader benefits of mentoring, including increased college enrollment rates, improved emotional well-being, and stronger communities. National statistics show that students with mentors are:
- 52% less likely to skip school compared to their peers.
- 46% less likely to use drugs and 27% less likely to start drinking.
- 55% more likely to enroll in college, helping close opportunity gaps.
Local leaders encourage residents to get involved by volunteering with programs like those offered by the Empower Youth Network, which has stepped up to fill critical gaps during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Whether by joining a mentoring program, supporting initiatives that promote career readiness, or simply showing appreciation for current mentors, Snoqualmie and North Bend residents can help make a difference in the lives of local youth.
To learn more, visit the Empower Youth Network or read the full proclamations issued by Mayor Ross and Mayor Miller.
[Featured Photo by Adam Winger on Unsplash
