By Dale Avery
This month, is National Mentoring Month which is in its 14th year of spreading mentoring awareness in an effort to connect more of the nation’s young people with quality mentors throughout nation. Mentoring has and continues to be impactful on all of young people as outlined by the following:
Young people who were at-risk for not completing high school but who had a mentor reported higher educational aspirations and matriculation into post-secondary education, as well as greater engagement in positive activities.
They were:
55% more likely to be enrolled in college than those who did not have a mentor.
81% more likely to report participating regularly in sports or extracurricular activities.
More than twice as likely to say they held a leadership position in a club or sports team.
78% more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities.
Nearly nine in ten respondents who had a mentor said they are now mentors.
As many of you know, I am the local President of the 100 Black Men of Central Illinois, which is one of the 100 plus chapters within the 100 Black Men of America organization. The foundation of the work of the 100 Black Men is mentoring young African American males across a lifetime through our mentoring the 100 Way programs. Our local program is called M4L – Mentoring For Life. Over the years mentors from the chapter have spent countless hours developing the curriculum, participating in training and mentoring hundreds of young people.
Currently, the 100 Black Men of Central Illinois has programs at Western Avenue Community Center, Heartland Community College, Boys and Girls Club, County Courthouse and other events at some Unit 5 and District 87 schools. The M4L program has and continues to have impact on our local youth by providing mentoring in the areas of basic life lessons, financial literacy, health and wellness, education and leadership
Across the nation the 100 plus chapters of the 100 Black Men of America has over 10,000 members who continue to enhance the quality of life in our communities and enhance the educational and economic opportunities for African Americans. Nationally we have more than 100,000 youth who participants annually in our mentoring and youth development programs.
As we begin another year, I continue to see a growing need for mentors for a lot of young people in our country regardless of race, age, gender and economic background. I know the 100 Black Men will continue to increase the number of mentors to allow us to reach more mentees. As I have said before in my forum, I ask whoever hears or reads this to find a way to mentor a young person and continue to mentor the ones in your lives today. Remember, our youth is our future – let’s help them make it a great one.
Dale Avery, CPCU, is the assistant vice president – Enterprise Services at State Farm® Corporate Headquarters in Bloomington, IL.
Avery began his career with State Farm in 1982 as a personal lines underwriter in Lincoln, Nebraska and assumed his current position in 2006. Avery, a native of Missouri, received his bachelor’s degree from Central Missouri State University. He earned his CPCU in 1991.
Dale resides in Bloomington with his wife, Laura and their two daughters; Megan and Jenna.
The opinions expressed within WJBC’s Forum are solely those of the Forum’s author, and are not necessarily those of WJBC or Cumulus Media, Inc.
