Press Release Archive
Monday, January 5, 2009
Governor Culver Proclaims January As Iowa Mentoring Month
Governor encourages Iowans to make a difference by becoming a mentor
(Des Moines) – Governor Chet Culver has proclaimed January as Iowa Mentoring Month. As a former teacher and mentor, Governor Culver is an advocate for mentoring across Iowa.
“As Governor and as an Iowan, I am committed to ensuring that every child in this state has the tools and resources they need to succeed,” said Governor Culver. “But a child’s success depends upon more than facts and figures; they must also have real-life experiences and learn from those who came before them. Time spent with a child is not only an investment in that child but an investment in every Iowan, and I want to thank each mentor for their service and encourage others to join them in sharing their skills as mentors to invest in Iowa’s bright future.”
Every year mentoring programs in Iowa and across the country celebrate the positive impacts of mentoring in January by raising awareness around mentoring, recognizing outstanding mentors and recruiting mentors for the upcoming year. Governor Culver signed the proclamation January 5th, 2009.
The Iowa Mentoring Partnership, a state supported program organized by the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service, is designed to bring together and support mentoring programs from all over the state through training, technical assistance, networking and much more. Currently, there are over 80 programs in the Partnership with thousands of children and youth experiencing the benefits of mentoring through these organizations. While steady progress is being made in bringing mentors into the lives of our young Iowans in need, mentoring programs in Iowa continually express the need for more people to volunteer as mentors. Currently, thousands of children are on mentoring waiting lists throughout the state hoping for a mentor in 2009.
If you would like more information on mentoring or would like to become a mentor please call the Iowa Mentoring Partnership at 1-800-308-5987 or visit www.iowamentoring.org.