PRESS RELEASE - Senator Landrieu Lends Support to National Mentoring Summit

January 24, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. – National leaders in the mentoring movement and practitioners from across the country received continued support from Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La.) today at the second annual National Mentoring Summit in Washington. 

Keynoting the opening session of the Summit, Sen. Landrieu spoke of her mentoring efforts on both the local and national level, with a particular focus on mentoring foster youth, and plans this year to reintroduce her Foster Care Mentoring Act, an initiative which aims to connect foster youth with caring and supportive mentors.

“Mentorship can make a world of difference to a young person.  Sometimes a mentor is all a youth has for a permanent and positive role model,” said Sen. Landrieu.  “Foster youth, for instance, sometimes struggle to find positive, long-lasting relationships, but a mentor can provide a child in foster care with a sense of stability.  As a longtime supporter of mentorship, I’m proud to introduce legislation like the Foster Care Mentoring Act to promote mentoring throughout the country.”

David Shapiro, president and CEO of MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, a host organization for the Summit, commended the senator for her dedication and tireless efforts to champion mentoring.

“Senator Landrieu is a leader on a host of issues, but when the condition of our youth and especially our most vulnerable is on the docket, she is always out front,” said Shapiro.  “We were lucky enough to have her speak at the first National Mentoring Summit last January and are delighted she was able to return this year.”

The National Mentoring Summit is being held Tuesday, January 24, and Wednesday, January 25, at The Fairmont in Washington, D.C.  The Summit’s Presenting Sponsor is Viacom.  Bank of America and BNY Mellon are Supporting Sponsors for the events.

For more information or to attend, please contact Ellen Christman at (703)224-2255 or echristman@mentoring.org