Mentor Programs in Minnesota celebrate substantial growth in young people supported through mentoring relationships!

(Minneapolis-January 4, 2006) The Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, legislators, business leaders and the mentoring community will celebrate the growth of youth mentoring in Minnesota during a press conference today at 3 PM in the main gymnasium of Roosevelt High School (4029 28th Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55406). 

The number of youth connected with mentors almost doubled in two years.  Preliminary results from the “Prevalence of Mentoring Survey” which collected 2004* data from mentor programs in Minnesota shows approximately 170,000 youth matched with caring adults.  These results reflect community, school and faith-based mentor programs.

Reinforcing the growth in mentoring, a 2005 survey among members of the Minnesota Business Partnership, 100 of Minnesota's largest companies, confirms 63 companies involved in mentoring compared to 53 companies in 2004.  Collectively, there are approximately 7,400 employees mentoring 19,400 young people in Minnesota compared to 6,200 employees mentoring 16,000 youth last year. 

“As adults, we are demonstrating to the next generation that we want to see them succeed, and we care about their future.  It’s gratifying to see the great people of Minnesota showing young people that they are important,” says Joellen Gonder-Spacek, Executive Director of Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota.  “In 2006, we will stay the course to help connect more than 200,000 kids that still need mentors.”

The press conference kicks off the 5^th Annual National Mentoring Month campaign in Minnesota led by

the Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota.  The campaign provides an opportunity for our state and nation to devote its attention to recruit volunteer mentors for 450,000 Minnesota young people and 17 million children nationwide who are in need of a mentor and are at risk of not achieving their full potential. 

For more information on mentoring, please contact Mai-Anh Kapanke at mai-anhk@mentoringworks.org or 612.370.9169.

*The 2004 Prevalence of Mentoring Survey was conducted by the Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota.  The numbers are based on completed surveys from 143 mentor programs in Minnesota. 

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