The U.S. Senate has declared January as National Mentoring Month, following a resolution introduced by Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and John Kerry (D-MA).

Locally, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Snohomish County, a branch of the YMCA, provides caring adult mentors who are essential in helping children reach their highest potential. One-to-one mentoring benefits the entire community, providing resources for at-risk families and empowering children to resist negative choices and mature into healthy, responsible citizens.

YMCA adult volunteers also mentor students in the Minority Achievers Program (MAP), a leadership program that focuses on college preparation and career exploration for students of color and immigrant students ages 11 to 19.

In signing the national proclamation, President Obama said, "Every day, mentors in communities across our nation provide crucial support and guidance to young people. Whether a day is spent helping with homework, playing catch, or just listening, these moments can have an enormous, lasting effect on a child's life."

For more information on the YMCA or BBBS programs, visit www.ymca-snoco.org or www.bbbs-snoco.org.

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