National Mentoring Month, 2003

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7636 of January 2, 2003

National Mentoring Month, 2003

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Across our great Nation, many Americans are responding
to the call to service by mentoring a child in need. By
offering love, guidance, and encouragement, mentors put
hope in children's hearts, and help ensure that young
people realize their full potential. During National
Mentoring Month, we recognize the vital contributions
of dedicated mentors, and we encourage more Americans
to make a difference in the hearts and souls of our
communities by volunteering their time to meet the
needs of America's youth.

Volunteers provide friendship and support to young
people who are facing challenging situations, serve as
positive role models, and help to instill important
values, goals, and skills. Mentors help young Americans
build confidence, gain knowledge, and develop the
character necessary to make the right choices and
achieve their dreams. Statistics show that at-risk
children with mentors demonstrate improved academic
performance and are less likely to be involved in
destructive activities such as drugs, alcohol, and
violence.

During these extraordinary times, we are experiencing a
growing culture of service, citizenship, and compassion
in our country, with millions of Americans sacrificing
for causes greater than self. Dedicated individuals are
getting involved in mentoring through faith-based and
community organizations, corporate initiatives, school-
based programs, and many other outlets for kindness. By
dedicating their time and their talents to offer a
child a quality relationship with a caring adult,
mentors strengthen our families and our communities and
reflect the true spirit of America.

Many Americans can point to individuals who influenced
their lives and helped to shape them into who they are
today. Whether they were teachers, coaches, relatives,
clergy, or other community leaders, these positive role
models have been critical to our healthy development
and helped to instill purpose in our lives. As we honor
these everyday heroes, we also recognize that there is
a great need for more mentors in America. Too many
children in our Nation are growing up without enough
support and guidance in their lives, and we must work
to ensure that no child is left behind.

This month, I encourage all Americans to become a
mentor and change the life of a child in need. In July,
the National Mentoring Partnership helped establish the
USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network--the largest system
in the Nation for matching individuals with volunteer
opportunities. I am proud of this partnership and ask
individuals to go online at www.usafreedomcorps.gov or
call 1-877-USACORPS to find millions of ways to help
children in their neighborhoods. Together, we can
reaffirm the promise of America and point the way to a
brighter future for all of our children.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim January 2003 as National
Mentoring Month. I call upon the people of the United
States to recognize the importance of being role models
for our youth, to look for mentoring

opportunities in their communities, and to celebrate
this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and
programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
second day of January, in the year of our Lord two
thousand three, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

(Presidential Sig.)B