OFE News Release
Guest Editorial:
Make a Difference for an Oklahoma Child: Be a Mentor!
By Gov. Brad Henry
Since taking the oath of office in 2003, I have made education a central focus of my administration. The issue is vital to the future of our state.
But while elected leaders work at the State Capitol to increase resources and improve accountability in our schools, we know that teachers and administrators cannot do it alone.
Parental involvement is crucial in education, as is community involvement. Schools and children need the support of their communities to succeed. Volunteer mentoring offers caring adults a chance to give back to our young people by helping them achieve to the best of their ability.
Mentoring an hour a week offers enormous benefits to Oklahoma’s children, particularly at-risk students both inside and outside of the classroom. With one-on-one attention and help, mentored students typically do better in school and have fewer behavioral problems and absences. In developing a positive relationship with a mentor, students show increased self-confidence and are more successful in resisting peer pressure to try alcohol and drugs.
There are, of course, benefits for the mentor, too. Mentoring offers adults a chance to help children who need it, which, in turn, brings feelings of accomplishment and the joy of giving selflessly of your time. Mentors also get great insight into the everyday lives of Oklahoma’s youth and a fuller understanding of the challenges they might face in their day-to-day lives.
In 2005, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence started the Boren Mentoring Initiative to promote school-based mentoring programs across the state. This January marks the fourth year they have organized National Mentoring Month in Oklahoma, which raises awareness of mentoring programs and encourages Oklahoma’s adults to take an active role in cultivating success in the next generation.
Mentoring only requires one hour each week, and can be spent helping a student with schoolwork, playing a board game or even shooting hoops on the basketball court. Mentors are more than tutors. Students reap benefits from the attention, encouragement and time given by volunteers.
Oklahomans are known for their kindness and generosity, giving freely to meet the needs of friend and stranger alike. In every community in Oklahoma, there are talented, caring individuals who can spare one hour to invest in the life of a child and the future of our state.
If you are one of those people, I encourage you to find out more about mentoring programs in your area by visiting the Boren Mentoring Initiative’s website at www.okmentors.org or calling 405-410-1523.