“Any society that does not succeed in tapping into the energy and creativity of its youth will be left behind.” – Kofi Annon Former Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Since 2007, U.S. Presidents George W. Bush; Barack Obama; Joe Biden, and Donald Trump have recognized January as National Mentoring Month through Proclamation and Messaging.

Locally we celebrate the accomplishments of our youth in sports; the arts, and academics. There remains however a need for Mentors to guide and encourage youth through generous giving of self. Mentoring is a calling to support youth in the wake of trauma; to guide boys and young men of color in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness, and promote emotional intelligence. Mentors are a resource for skills development, and social emotional learning, while fostering inclusion and cultural respect.

I mention two local non-profit organizations committed to youth mentoring and success support:

The Williamsport Vision Team seeks to mentor Williamsport Area school students for a career life experience by promoting a passion for learning and developing skills for their vocational future.

J.U.M.P. Juvenile Uplifting Mentoring Program is dedicated to empowering and transforming the lives of at-risk youth through inclusive community-based mentoring and comprehensive support services.

There are of course many other local organizations and institutions worthy of mention that support or provide mentoring of our local youth. All should be recognized and appreciated during this January National Mentoring Month. This time is also an opportunity to invite residents to drive sustainable change from within our community, exploiting the community’s inherent strengths by identifying their gifts, local associations, and institutions to build stronger, more connected communities. Mentor volunteers committed to youth and asset based community development are key to a Williamsport with a proud past, and “a Promising Future”.

WILLIAM HENDERSON

Williamsport

Submitted by Virtual Newsroom