Every January — National Mentoring Month — we celebrate the transformative power of mentorship and highlight the essential role park and recreation professionals play in fostering youth development and mentoring in local communities.

Mentorship benefits everyone, but its impact on young people is especially profound. Research shows that youth with mentors are more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities, take on leadership roles in clubs or sports teams, and develop a stronger sense of belonging.

However, at least one-third of youth grow up without a mentor.  Even more concerning, six percent of Gen Z — equivalent to two million youth — report having no mentor and no meaningful adult relationship in their lives (Who Mentored You?).

Each January, NRPA proudly showcases stories of mentorship in action and provides resources to help local park and recreation agencies create meaningful youth mentoring opportunities in their communities. Together, we can bridge the mentorship gap and support the next generation of leaders!

What does youth mentorship look like in parks and recreation?

 

Mentorship happens every day in parks and recreation through formal programs such as workforce development, sports teams or afterschool programs and through informal daily interactions. Across the field, agencies are increasingly leveraging evidence-based mentoring practices within existing youth programs or creating standalone mentorship opportunities to support young people’s overall well-being and positive development. As one of the largest providers of youth development services nationwide — reaching more than 40 million youth annually — park and recreation agencies are uniquely positioned to offer impactful mentorship experiences that support the next generation.

Mentoring in Action

NRPA/U.S. Soccer Foundation National Mentoring Month Training
January 21, 2025, 1 p.m. EST

All youth-serving professionals are invited to a free 90-minute virtual coach-mentor training that transforms how we support young people. This powerful workshop equips coaches, recreation professionals and youth leaders with evidence-based strategies to build meaningful connections, inspire leadership and create environments where every young person can discover their potential. Join a nationwide movement to bridge the mentoring gap and make a lasting impact on young lives.

Register Here

 How can you celebrate National Mentoring Month?

There are many opportunities to celebrate National Mentoring Month.

  • Use your communications channels to share facts about mentorship and promote awareness of how mentoring takes place in your community. Use facts from reliable sources like the National Mentoring Resource Center or MENTOR and utilize their National Mentoring Month promotional toolkits.
  • Highlight specific days throughout the month by planning events or using your communications channels. In 2025, these days include:
    • January 7: I Am a Mentor Day
    • January 14: Thank Your Mentor Day
    • January 17: International Mentoring Day
    • January 20: Dr. Martin Luther King Day of Service
    • January 23: Youth Voice Day
    • January 27: Thank Your Mentee Day
    • Recognize the mentors in your recreation centers, programs and community!
    • Apply for funding to support your mentoring program!
    • Follow NRPA on social media and help us share stories from the field, using the hashtag #MentoringInParks.

 Resources to Support Youth Mentoring Programs

 

This resource is supported by Grants #15PJDP-22-GG-03735-MENT, 15PJDP-22-GG-03844-MENT, and 15PJDP-24-GG-03819-MENT awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Justice.

Thank Your Mentor Day: Stories of Impact from STRONGkids

Thank Your Mentor 2025 410

In Dickinson, North Dakota, the Best Friends Mentoring Program has partnered with Dickinson Parks and Recreation to create a program for youth in 6th-8th grade.

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Make an Impact by Leading with a Mentoring Mindset — Episode 150

Episode 150 410

On the latest Open Space Radio episode, we talk about the power of mentoring with Katlin Okamoto, director of Coach-Mentor Training at U.S. Soccer Foundation; Char Barnes, a park and recreation professional who previously worked in Columbus, Ohio; and Kent Hunt, NRPA’s program manager of health.

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Elevating the Spirit of Service in Youth

MLK Day of Service 410

This year, we recognize the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on January 15, and we invite you to join us in strengthening communities nationwide through the integration of community service in youth mentoring programs.

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