Mentor North Calls on Community to Show up for our Youth –
Two March Events to Celebrate Mentors and Nominate New Ones
Mentor North is excited to ignite our 3rd annual mentor recruitment movement – March into Mentoring 2026. We invite the community and local media to be part of something powerful this March, turning hope for a better future into an actionable task.
Through two public events, a social media campaign and an online form, Mentor North will launch a community-wide call to nominate 100 caring adults who can commit to showing up for a young person just once a month.
Event Details:
• March 3 — March into Mentoring Kick-Off Event @ Thirsty Pagan 5:30-6:30 pm
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CqVKnQLzr/
The first 10 nominations will be made live!
Meet Mentor North Staff and many current mentors.
Live Music from mentor alum Ross Thorn!
• March 24 — Nomination Celebration Event @ Wussow’s Cafe 5:30-7:30pm
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ETG6gzBnp/
Welcome everyone nominated by our community!
Light refreshments and drinks provided.
Stories of mentoring in action from a panel of current mentors and youth.
Live Music from The Trash Cats duo!
A Call to Action Rooted in Hope
At a time when young people are navigating increasing social, academic, racial and
emotional pressures, Mentor North believes one consistent adult can change the
trajectory of a life. Mentoring is a two-way relationship – Mentoring 1 Youth Changes 2
Lives – mentors experience the joy, growth and meaning of a supported relationship just
as much as the youth involved. So this year’s call for nominations is a way to support
local youth and adults across the Twin Ports.
“At Mentor North, we believe mentoring is one way hope becomes action,” said Jill
Hinners, Executive Director of Mentor North. “A supported mentoring relationship offers
young people a safe, affirming place to be heard, encouraged, and celebrated — and in
times like these, trusting relationships are vital.”
Research consistently shows that youth with mentors experience higher academic
achievement, greater confidence, and stronger social-emotional skills. But beyond
statistics, mentoring is about something simple: showing up.
In the words of Artis Stevens, CEO of BBBS of America, “Showing up consistently is
the power of mentorship…This ability to impact a life and change the country by
changing one life at a time [is] not too big, not too overwhelming. It’s something that we
can all do.”
That is the heart of Mentor North’s March into Mentoring invitation.
Community Mentor Nominations Now Open
Mentor North is asking community members to think about the people in their lives who
naturally encourage others — coworkers, neighbors, family friends, business leaders,
retirees, coaches — and nominate them to become mentors.
Nominations can be made at www.MentorNorth.org or directly at bit.ly/49xHfek and at
either the March 3rd or 24th event.
By nominating someone, community members help extend the circle of support around
youth who are waiting for a caring adult in their corner.
How Community Members Can Get Involved:
• Nominate someone you think has the potential to be a caring, consistent mentor.
• Attend one of our March events.
• Share March into Mentoring posts on social media.
• Apply to become a mentor!
• Invest in the future of mentoring as a Mentor North Resilience Builder.
• Explore other Mentor North volunteer opportunities.
Why Mentoring?
• 67% of today’s 18-to-21-year-olds recall a time when they needed a mentor but
didn’t have one.
• Youth who experienced more systemic barriers and/or hardship growing up are
most likely to credit their mentors for their success in life.
• Research shows strong correlations between childhood mentoring and an
increased sense of belonging and mental well-being. (MENTOR National, 2023)
Accessibility: Contact Mentor North with any questions or accommodation requests.
