The School Board of Okaloosa County, Florida, approved a proclamation at January 23, 2023, School Board Meeting declaring the month of January as "National Mentoring Month." National Mentoring Month is an annual campaign to recruit quality mentors to provide additional networks of support for young people. The School Board recognizes the contributions of volunteer mentors, who guide young people to succeed in their education, career, and well-being.
Mentoring programs like Take Stock In Children make our state and communities stronger by enabling impactful relationships that increase social capital for young people and provide invaluable support networks, and research has demonstrated that mentoring programs have a significant, positive impact on a variety of academic achievement measures, including truancy and absenteeism, scholastic efficacy and engagement, school-related misconduct, and peer support. Quality mentoring promotes healthy relationships and communication, positive self-esteem, emotional well-being, and relationship growth for young people.
National Mentoring Month is the time of year to celebrate, elevate, and encourage mentoring across our state and recruit caring adult mentors in Okaloosa County, Florida. The School Board supports and celebrates those who mentor our youth and encourage others to become mentors during January 2023 and throughout the year.