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CELEBRATING NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH!

President Obama Proclaims January National Mentoring Month

January 6, 2010: The White House has released President Obama's proclamation stating that January is officially National Mentoring Month in America.

The proclamation, in part, reads: "Every day, mentors in communities across our Nation provide crucial support and guidance to young people. Whether a day is spent helping with homework, playing catch, or just listening, these moments can have an enormous, lasting effect on a child's life. During National Mentoring Month, we recognize those who give generously of themselves by mentoring young Americans.

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2010 as National Mentoring Month. I call upon public officials, business and community leaders, educators, and Americans across the country to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs."

Dr. Larry Wright, MENTOR's president and CEO, said, "Having the President's recognition of National Mentoring Month is an honor and a vote of confidence for the 14 million children in our country who want and need a caring mentor in their lives. The proclamation also gives a well-deserved boost to all mentors and the quality mentoring program staff members who are working hard to make a positive difference in their communities."

In addition to the President, the U.S. Senate recently passed an official resolution for National Mentoring Month 2010.

This is the ninth annual National Mentoring Month, which was established to spotlight the importance of mentors and mentoring. The effort is spearheaded by the Harvard Mentoring Project of the Harvard School of Public Health, MENTOR and the Corporation for National and Community Service. Media partners include: CBS, FOX, NBC, MTV, Comcast, Time Warner and the National Association of Broadcasters.

To see the full Presidential Proclamation, go to www.nationalmentoringmonth.org/news_events/pressreleases/proclamation2010/.

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CELEBRATING NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH!