OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – During the month of January the Mvskoke Nation Youth Services is helping to recognize National Mentoring Month.
MNYS Youth Services Specialist Samantha Coon said National Mentoring Month is a celebration to express and elevate the power of relationships between mentors and mentees. The month highlights the benefits of mentoring of how to support young people and showing inspiring stories from all over the United States.
Based on the mentoring campaign website, this movement was started in 2002 and recognized yearly by the U.S. president and administration. The month is dedicated to celebrate the power of mentoring and encourage others to explore how mentoring programs can enable organizations.
According to Coon, one in three young people in the United States who are growing up with a mentor outside of their family. Young people who have a mentor are 52% less likely to skip school, 78% are more than likely to volunteer in their community and 130% are more likely to hold a leadership position.
MNYS joined the movement, because they too have a mentoring program within their services. They kicked off National Mentoring Month on January 4 with a panel of mentors and mentees called “Mvskoke Youth Talks.”
“They discussed what mentoring means to them, how to get involved in mentoring, how to become a mentor or mentee and the process for other people on how to sign up,” Coon said.
Later in the month there will be a “Lunch and Learn” provided by the College of the Muscogee Nation students and staff. The panel will be on Jan. 20 via Zoom from 12 – 1 p.m.
“We really want to utilize local individuals to become mentors for Mvskoke Mentors Program,” Coon added.
Throughout the month MNYS will be posting games on their social media page such as trivia questions and quizzes.
Coon highly encourages everyone to check out MNYS social media @MvskokeYouth to find out more information about mentoring. MNYS is on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, Youtube and TikTok.
MNYS currently has eight mentors in their program who work with the youth at Eufaula Dormitory. They are always looking for more mentors to be in the program.
To apply to become a mentor, MNYS has an online application at: www.mvskokeyouth.com/mvskokementors
