On the recordJanuary 27, 2023
As chair of the Congressional Youth Mentoring Caucus, I rise to recognize National Mentoring Month to celebrate the impact of youth mentoring and ask caring adults across the country to consider becoming mentors as our youth face the overwhelming challenges of our time. One-third of young people in the United States don't have a meaningful connection with a responsible adult outside their homes, but such connections can have a powerful, positive impact on their economic mobility, mental health, violence prevention, and identity development. I have been a youth mentor since college, and it is incredibly rewarding. I have been honored to participate in and celebrate the personal and professional growth of scores of young people. This week, we welcome mentors from across the country to Capitol Hill, including visitors from the Philadelphia region who work with MENTOR and Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and we heard about the work they do to support young people in our communities every day. Mr. Speaker, I urge all adults to consider how they can serve their communities and the next generation by becoming mentors through sports, career exploration, school, or faith-based programs. ____________________
