[Archived] City of Alexandria Celebrates National Mentoring Month, January 2017

For Immediate Release: January 5, 2017

In recognition of National Mentoring Month in January, the City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Mentoring Partnership (AMP) are hosting events spotlighting the City’s numerous mentoring programs and their efforts to guide youth and give back to the community. The purpose of this month-long campaign is to raise awareness of the positive effects of mentoring, recognize the invaluable efforts of current and former mentors, and recruit others to volunteer and aid mentoring programs.

A proclamation declaring January as Alexandria Mentoring Month will be issued during the City Council meeting on January 10. On that day, Alexandrians are asked to wear blue in support of Alexandria’s mentoring programs.

Throughout January, AMP programs will host open houses for the public to sit in on a mentoring program and learn about the staff, volunteers, and youth. AMP will also host a brown-bag lunch for City employees. There are many ways to participate; in addition to the open houses and events, the public is invited to join the City on social media on January 12 for #IAmAMentor day and on January 19 for #ThankYourMentor day. 

Under the Alexandria Mentoring Partnership, more than 500 youth are mentored by over 400 mentors. Mentoring is a proven national best practice that decreases the risk of crime, teen pregnancy, gang involvement, drug abuse and poor school performance. Students are more likely to graduate from high school, make healthier lifestyle choices, build stronger relationships with parents, teachers and peers and demonstrate improved social and emotional skills. AMP, which was founded in 2006 by the City of Alexandria, local mentoring programs, and key community members, celebrated its 10^th anniversary in 2016.  The Alexandria Mentoring Partnership is a City program but relies on the determination and extraordinary efforts of City employees, the support of local leadership, and the generosity of the business and faith communities. AMP does not receive direct City funding. 

For more information about Mentoring Month activities or the Alexandria Mentoring Partnership, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Mentoring or contact Chelsea Tegels at mentoring@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4455. 

For media inquiries, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended. To request a reasonable accommodation or an alternative format, contact Joe Regotti at joe.regotti@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4502.