The National Mentoring Month campaign toolkit provides guidance on the most impactful ways you can lend your voice to the mentoring movement!
Materials include:
Download Toolkit Download Graphics
Special thanks to Midlands Mentoring Partnership for the photos in this toolkit and accompanying graphics!
Several National Mentoring Month events are recognized at the national level and are celebrated on social media. Mark these dates on your planning calendar and download the online engagement toolkit for tips and sample messaging to help you get started on planning!
January 4, 2017 – National Mentoring Month Kick-off Twitter Chat (3 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT)
January 12, 2017 – I Am A Mentor Day
January 16, 2017 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
January 17, 2017 – International Mentoring Day
January 19, 2017 – #ThankYourMentor Day
We encourage mentoring supporters, local mentoring programs and organizations to plan activities in their communities and activate on social media using our online engagement toolkit. You can also find your local nonprofit ambassador to connect with other organizations planning events.
Anyone participating in National Mentoring Month may download any or all of the materials available on our website. These materials will help you amplify your efforts throughout the month of January.
Launched in 2002 by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership (MENTOR) and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, National Mentoring Month focuses national attention on the need for mentors, as well as how each of us—individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities and nonprofits—can work together to increase the number of mentors to help ensure positive outcomes for our young people.
This campaign celebrates mentoring and the positive effect it can have on young lives. Its goals are to:
National partners work with local leaders to organize special events in their communities supported by local media outlets and public officials. These events help interested adults learn how to turn their concern for young people into direct action by becoming mentors.
Each year since its launch, National Mentoring Month has enjoyed the strong support of the U.S. President and members of Congress. Other well-known supporters include the late Maya Angelou, Clint Eastwood, Senator John McCain, Quincy Jones, General Colin L. Powell, Cal Ripken, Jr., Bill Russell and Usher.
Learn more about those who have committed to helping improve the lives of America’s young people through mentoring by viewing a collection of video vignettes, short PSAs and our National Mentoring Month Storify below.
In addition, read President Barack Obama’s press release about National Mentoring Month in January 2016.
Watch National Mentoring Month Videos View 2016 Storify



Volunteering as a mentor or becoming an informal mentor to a young person you know is a valuable step in igniting the mentoring effect in your community. In addition, there are many other ways in which we can all become mentor mobilizers. From donating to a mentoring program to asking your elected officials to support public funding for those programs, to working with your school district to incorporate mentoring, or getting your company to participate in a mentoring program.
Search the Mentoring Connector to find opportunities to volunteer as a mentor in your area.
By searching the database, you are sharing your information with MENTOR, its affiliates, and any program you choose to contact. Your email address will not be sold, shared with third parties or used for any purposes other than to keep you updated on news and opportunities related to mentoring.

Advance the movement, register for the 2017 National Mentoring Summit!