BGCA

When it comes to developing the next generation of community and world leaders, you can certainly say it takes a village. Youth look to dependable role models to help them navigate the difficult challenges in life as well as support them in their successes. This is why we celebrate National Mentorship month and why mentorship is a priority for Boys & Girls Clubs.

This past January, BGCA presented at the National Mentoring Summit held by MENTOR. BGCA’s Federal Government Relations team collaborated with the YMCA of the USA to discuss the importance of mentorship on emotional well-being in places like Clubs and Ys. The summit also heard from Vice President of Native Services Carla Knapp, and Lead Director of Organizational Development Kelly Concho-Hayes, who both discussed the Native youth mentoring programming. National Vice President of Federal Grants Perry Cooper, also presented on the Department of Justice Youth Mentoring initiative grant.

**“It’s important for young people to have adults who are there with them to celebrate their victories and to work them through their valleys,” said 2022-23 National Youth of the Year Asha H-R.**

Asha H-R., 2022-23 National Youth of the Year was a featured speaker and talked about the impact mentoring has had on her life and continues to have. As a Club alum and the 2019-20 Boys and Girls Club of Greater Augusta Local Youth of the Year, I can certainly relate to Asha’s story. During my time at the Club, I had the luxury of being positively impacted by several role models and mentors. It was my Club Director at the time, Terri Wright, who signed me up for a Rotary Speech competition and encouraged me to do my best. Although I did not win, it was her consistent belief in me then that led to me speaking on stage with Dr. Condoleezza Rice, co-hosting a Great Futures Celebration, and winning local Youth of the Year. That is the power of mentorship.

It is through relationships with public and private partners that Clubs are able to connect more youth with impactful mentorship programs. It's why Boys & Girls Clubs advocate for increases in the Department of Justice Youth Mentoring Initiative.

It truly takes a village, which means we all have to do our parts. Boys & Girls Club programs like Career Launch, Keystone, and Youth of the Year demonstrate the importance of good character and mentorship and their positive impact on development. As advocates, we must be proactive, impart wisdom, and provide support to the youth in our communities just as those who came before did for us.