In Recognition and Support of
National Mentoring Month
January 2023
WHEREAS, this year Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Coast, CASA of Humboldt, and Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods, celebrate the 138 combined years of service provided to the youth in Humboldt County; Together it is recognized that the future of Humboldt County rests on the success of its youth; and WHEREAS, a mentor is a caring, consistent presence who devotes time to help a young person develop personal strength and achieve their potential through a structured and trusting relationship. Quality mentoring encourages positive choices, promotes self-esteem, supports academic achievement and introduces young people to new ideas; and WHEREAS, research shows that young people matched with a caring adult through a quality mentoring program are 55 percent more likely to be enrolled in college, 81 percent more likely to report participating regularly in extracurricular activities and sports, 78 percent more likely to volunteer and twice as likely to say they held a leadership position than those who did not have a mentor; and
WHEREAS, youth development experts agree that mentoring is critical to the social, emotional and cognitive development of youth, helping them navigate the path to adulthood more successfully; and WHEREAS, our community has a number of community volunteers, teachers, advocates and many others who support the mentoring movement and work selflessly to improve our children’s odds for success.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the City Council of the City of Fortuna hereby recognizes January 2023 as NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH and thanks all of our local heroes who participate in quality mentoring programs to equip our youth with the tools to lead healthy and productive lives. The City Council also calls on residents to help close the gap between the availability of mentors and the number of children facing challenging circumstances who would love to spend time with a Big Brother, Big Sister, CASA Advocate, or Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods Mentor.
SIGNED this 17th day of January 2023 at the City of Fortuna, in the State of California, and in witness thereof, the seal of Fortuna.
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Tami Trent, Mayor
City of Fortuna