Mentoring month

January is National Mentoring Month, an occasion to salute all those individuals and organizations that find ways to befriend and encourage others to have fun, study hard and make every effort to succeed.

For hundreds of boys and girls, young men and women throughout Southeast Missouri, mentors provide the only positive role models in their lives. Thanks to the special attention they receive from their mentors, these individuals have a friend to talk to or someone to help them understand the complexities of sixth-grade math.

It's not just young people who benefit from mentors. Individuals seeking jobs or who want to advance their education can find mentors who will help them through the red tape. And successful individuals who are retired find ways to advise and guide younger business owners who need an extra boost provided by years of experience.

Schools, churches, not-for-profit groups and government-funded social-service organization all find ways to provide mentors and ways to encourage those who need a helping hand to accept wisdom and guidance when it's offered.

There is a far greater need for mentors than there are volunteers. If you would like to become a mentor, a good place to start is United Way of Southeast Missouri at 334-9634.