RECOGNIZING JANUARY 2026 AS “NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Chukwuocha & Sen. Lockman

Reps. Osienski, Bush, Carson, K. Johnson, Morrison, Romer, Ross Levin, K. Williams, Hilovsky, Gray, Yearick, Shupe, Berry, Kamela Smith; Sens. Sokola, Hansen, Pinkney, Hoffner, Hocker

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 88

RECOGNIZING JANUARY 2026 AS “NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, mentoring is a proven, evidence-based practice that serves as both a prevention and intervention strategy, positively impacting young people of all demographics and backgrounds in all aspects of their lives; and

WHEREAS, mentoring programs have been shown to foster positive mental health outcomes, including reducing unhealthy coping mechanisms, strengthening interpersonal relationships with parents, teachers, and peers, and alleviating parental stress; and

WHEREAS, quality mentoring enhances life and social skills, promotes self-esteem and confidence, supports academic achievement and college access, encourages career exploration, and cultivates youth leadership development with healthier relationships and lifestyle choices; and

WHEREAS, mentoring programs are instrumental in improving youth academic performance, including increased high school graduation rates, reduced dropout rates, and better attendance, grades, test scores, and classroom behavior; and

WHEREAS, mentoring fosters positive youth development by encouraging habits such as completing homework and engaging in healthy social interactions, while contributing to higher college enrollment rates and greater educational aspirations; and

WHEREAS, youth who face additional challenges, such as foster youth, benefit significantly from mentoring relationships, with improvements in mental health, educational attainment, peer relationships, employment opportunities, and housing stability; and

WHEREAS, mentoring is a key component of juvenile justice and violence prevention efforts, addressing multiple risk factors simultaneously, reducing the likelihood of drug and alcohol use, and offering comprehensive support to youth at risk of violence or victimization; and

WHEREAS, mentoring provides substantial benefits to mentors, including enhanced patience, improved supervisory skills, greater insight into youth development, increased self-esteem, a sense of personal accomplishment, and the opportunity to join networks of volunteers; and

WHEREAS, nearly one-third of young people in the United States lack a trusted adult outside of their home to provide guidance and support, underscoring the critical importance of addressing the “mentoring gap”; and

WHEREAS, closing this gap requires collaboration across private, public, and nonprofit sectors to expand access to mentoring programs in communities, schools, and workplaces statewide.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the month of January 2026 is designated as “National Mentoring Month” in the State of Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all Delawareans are encouraged to support mentoring efforts that empower and uplift young people across the state.

SYNOPSIS

This resolution recognizes January 2026 as “National Mentoring Month” in the State of Delaware.