January 2021
Amplify Your Impact During National Mentoring Month
We're kicking off the new year with National Mentoring Month! Although the past year has been difficult, we want to recognize how in the face of these challenges, the mentoring movement continued to rise up and find creative ways to support young people. We know that mentoring amplifies change one relationship at a time, and helps young people find and follow their passions. National Mentoring Month is an opportunity to get people excited about mentoring and join in the mentoring movement.
Are you ready to amplify your impact by getting
involved in the mentoring movement?

Ways to get involved in National Mentoring Month:

Mentoring in the News
In celebration of National Mentoring Month, the mentoring movement has recently been featured in the news! See all the great interviews, stories, and announcements below.
MENTOR Virginia

Interview: Featuring MENTOR Virginia's Executive Director, Jennifer Boyle
Aired on Virginia This Morning, WTVR 6

Article: "Here's how you can celebrate National Mentoring Month"
Published by WWBT 12
MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership
News Release: "NFL reaches more than $95M in contributions to further advance social justice"
Published on the NFL website, announcing new partnership between the NFL and MENTOR

News Release: MENTOR National Announces 2021 Excellence in Mentoring Honorees
Published by 3BL Media
Girls for a Change

Article: "Girls for a Change ambassador program reaches four-year mark, accepting new students"
Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch
Casa Chirilagua: Putting Young People & Community First

Against the backdrop of a global pandemic, 2020 was a year in which unprecedented challenge spurred incredible adaptability for Casa Chirilagua, a faith-based non-profit in Alexandria, VA. MENTOR Virginia recently spoke with José Martinez, Mentoring Director at Casa Chirilagua, about what recent months have been like for the 100+ Latinx families they serve. We are happy to be able to share Casa Chirilagua's story of perseverance on our blog in honor of National Mentoring Month, and to lift them up as an inspiring example of what happens when communities come together to ensure that young people have the relationships and resources they need to thrive.
AmeriCorps Service Awards
Congratulations to Blake Mogel: 2020 Outstanding AmeriCorps VISTA!

We are so happy to announce that Blake Mogel, who served as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Communities In Schools of Chesterfield through a partnership with MENTOR Virginia, has won the 2020 Outstanding AmeriCorps VISTA award from the Virginia Office on Volunteerism and Community Services! Blake will be formally recognized on May 12, 2021 during the virtual Virginia Volunteerism and Service Conference.
Blake served with CIS Chesterfield during the 2019-2020 service year, and was an incredible asset to her team. She was able to elevate mentor programming in Chesterfield County schools and ensure that many students had a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult. Blake now works as a Site Coordinator with Communities In Schools of Richmond, where she continues to utilize her skills and passion to serve schools and students. Check out Blake's own reflections on her service here: https://bit.ly/37RxQjJ.
Resources We're Exploring This Month
Local Resources: