Our Vision
Every young person in Colorado will have the supportive relationships they need to grow, connect, and thrive.
Make a Difference in a Child's Life
September is a time of reconnection as young people settle back into school, which presents great opportunities to build and strengthen their relationships with peers and adults in their lives. This month marks Back to School Month, Attendance Awareness Month, and National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and provides an opportunity to spotlight the role that adults in the education system can play in promoting the mental health and well-being of young people. September 15 also marks the start of Hispanic heritage month! As we celebrate Hispanic mentors and mentees, join us in promoting educational resources around advancing cultural competency and dismantling bias within the mentoring field.
There are many actionable ways to support the mentoring movement this September:
Please join us as we spotlight the impacts of mentoring and elevate awareness around the critical need to keep empowering young people through supportive relationships.
Check out the Calls to Action below for more information on how you can get involved in advancing the mentoring movement.
1. Back To School Month • Students across the country head back to the classroom this month, but we shouldn’t just focus on academic success This is a crucial time to ensure that young people are developing holistically, and mentors can help youth meet their social and emotional needs. For more on the mentoring mindset this Back to School season, learn more below:
2. Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15 to October 15 • This Hispanic Heritage Month, take the time to learn more about Hispanic culture and traditions, while exploring how you can incorporate more cultural awareness in mentoring relationships. A key component of mentoring is being able to recognize and honor diverse perspectives & encourage inclusivity.
3. National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month • Young people face immense challenges often exacerbated by loneliness, especially in today’s world. While connection isn’t the sole solution, strong networks of support are vital for young people’s mental health. Mentors are a key component of this safety net. They can provide safe spaces for youth that are struggling, and can also help recognize and prevent suicidal tendencies. This National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, explore critical resources that can help below:
4. Advocate for increased funding for the mentoring movement.
3. Make a gift to support the mentoring movement.
4. Become or find a mentor.
Mentoring and Mental Health
We're thrilled to share the insightful video below featuring MENTOR Colorado Executive Director Lindsey Cali, SCD Enrichment Program Founder/CEO Shalelia Dillard, and STAR Girlz Empowerment Founder/Executive Director Shalonda Palmer. Premiered before an audience of over 1,300 at the 2024 MENTOR National Mentoring Summit, this video highlights the vital connection between mentoring and mental health.
Mentoring Black and Brown Girls
Another inspiring video highlighting Colorado mentoring that premiered before an audience of over 1,300 at the 2024 MENTOR National Mentoring Summit! Witness how mentoring amplifies the connection that develops by knowing and overcoming shared struggles, and the transformative influence of representation. Special thanks to SCD Enrichment Program and STAR Girlz Empowerment for joining us in this important project.
Custom Training and Consulting
Mentoring is good but quality mentoring is better! MENTOR Colorado exists to strengthen the quality of mentoring throughout Colorado by providing capacity building support to mentoring and youth serving programs.
Invest in Colorado's Youth
Your gift helps increase our capacity to close the mentoring gap and drive equity through quality mentoring relationships for young people.
Program Resources
Raise your voice, share your knowledge, and affect positive change through engagement with Congress and other influencers in your communities by calling on them to prioritize relationships for young people.
Our Work
At MENTOR Colorado, our goal is clear: to ensure every young person in Colorado will have a quality mentoring relationship. We're on a mission to transform the quality and significantly increase the quantity of mentoring relationships for Colorado's young people.