Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizingJanuary as National Mentoring Month. Established in 2002, by the Harvard School of Public Health and MENTOR: National Mentoring Partnership, National Mentoring Month pays tribute to the men and women who enrich the lives of young people and encourage more Americans to mentor young adults in their communities. Congresswoman Wilson and MENTOR issued the following statement:

“In my career as an educator, school principal, and school board member, I have seen firsthand what works in children’s lives,” said Congresswoman Wilson. “In situations in which a young person is missing a caring, consistent presence, there is one simple intervention that can make all the difference: A good mentor. Young people who are matched with a mentor through a quality mentoring program make positive choices, discover personal strength, and achieve their potential both inside and outside of the classroom. I am proud to have introduced the resolution honoring National Mentoring Month and its efforts to increase the availability of mentoring programs across the country.”

“We know that young people with mentors report a positive mentoring effect in their lives that impacts their academic, social and economic prospects. It strengthens our communities and our nation, making it a critical investment in our present and future,” said David Shapiro, CEO of MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership. “National Mentoring Month is a platform for mobilizing more volunteers and support to ensure more young people have this powerful asset in their lives. We thank Representative Wilson for her leadership and her ongoing support of quality mentoring opportunities for youth.”

Members of Congress co-sponsoring the resolution include Congressman Robert E. Andrews (NJ-1), Congresswoman Karen Bass (CA-37), Congressman André Carson (IN-7), Congresswoman Kathy Castor (FL-14), Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13), Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53), Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA-2), Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-3), Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15), Congressman Rush Holt (NJ-12), Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee (TX-18), Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-2), Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-4), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Congressman Jared Polis (CO-2), Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), and Congressman Adam Schiff (CA-28).

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Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson is a second-term Congresswoman from Florida representing parts of Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward counties. A former state legislator and school principal, she is the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school. Along with Congressman Bill Posey, Congresswoman Corrine Brown, and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, Congresswoman Wilson serves as founding Co-Chair of the Florida Ports Caucus, a bipartisan taskforce that coordinates federal action in support of Florida’s harbors and waterways.