January is National Mentoring Month in America. The idea behind mentoring is that by pairing a young person in need with a caring adult, that child will be better-prepared for a successful adulthood.

According to the U.S. Corporation for National & Community Service, students who are mentored are:

• 52 percent less likely to skip a day of school
• 37 percent less likely to skip classes
• more likely to finish high school and attend college
• more likely to form positive social attitudes and relationships

Mentors can have a positive impact on the kids they connect with. And while a mentor cannot replace a parent, he/she can take part in encouraging positive decisions, promoting self-esteem and improving school achievements.

Watch Gen. Colin L. Powell explain why “Mentoring Works”:

Get involved with National Mentoring Month by hanging up campaign marketing materials in your school or around your community, courtesy of NationalMentoringMonth.org. You might also want to distribute Mentoring Month handouts to help make a big impression.