Cincinnati: Cincinnati Youth Collaborative (CYC) and local mentoring organizations will honor volunteer mentors in a National Mentoring Month luncheon celebration, “The Magic of Mentoring Connections”,  marking the eighth annual Thank Your Mentor Day on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at Community Action Agency.

Thank Your Mentor Day is a highlight of National Mentoring Month, a campaign held each January to recruit volunteer mentors for young people.  National studies show that introducing a mentor into a child’s life can prevent drug abuse and youth violence.  CYC provides mentors to students in Cincinnati Public Schools for the purpose of helping youth graduate from high school by improving academic and social skills.  CYC’s data indicates that mentored students increase academic and self achievement, attend school more regularly, and receive fewer disciplinary actions.  For more information on National Mentoring Month, local activities, and to complete a volunteer application visit www.cycyouth.org, or call 513-475-4148.

County Commissioner David Pepper will present the Mentoring Student Success Network with a county proclamation at 11:45 am at the luncheon celebration that pays tribute to over 2000 CYC volunteers and hundreds of mentors volunteering through local mentoring organizations.  Special recognition will be given to CYC volunteers with 5 or more years of service. 

Thank Your Mentor Day promotes “Four Ways to Honor Your Mentor”: 1) contact your mentor directly to express your appreciation; 2) pass on what you received by becoming a mentor to a young person in your community; 3) make a financial contribution to a local mentoring program; and, 4) write a tribute to your mentor for posting on www.cycyouth.org.

A leader in youth development programs since 1987, the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative creates, facilitates and supports positive educational, social and economic programs to benefit the region’s youth, principally Cincinnati Public School–age and young-adult populations.  Focusing on two primary areas—Mentoring and College Access—CYC brings together people, institutions, and other community resources to help youth graduate from high school, enter post-secondary education, or obtain employment.  Additional information on CYC can be found at www.cycyouth.org.