For every $1 invested in mentoring, Nebraska receives an $8 return on societal benefits. Studies also show youth with mentors are more likely to be successful in school, leaders in their communities, and to enter young adulthood with opportunities for ongoing education and career choices. And yet, 16 million American young people—one in three—will reach the age of 19 without having had a mentor of any kind.
The Omaha Chamber is partnering with Midlands Mentoring Partnership (MMP) to help reduce the mentoring gap. Together they will launch the Corporate Mentoring Challenge this winter to recognize outstanding corporations in the Omaha community that have created, expanded or partnered on mentoring initiatives. The goal is to challenge private corporations to create or expand an existing mentoring culture within their companies to encourage employee participation in youth mentoring programs.
In order to complete the challenge, companies must participate in three mentoring activities during National Mentoring Month in January. Activities include hosting a lunch and learn, recognizing employees who currently mentor, donating event tickets to mentoring matches, advocating for mentoring, and sponsoring mentors to attend MMP’s Annual Mentoring Summit. Companies that complete the challenge will be recognized at MMP’s 8th Annual Mentoring Awards Luncheon on January 31 at the Capitol District Marriott. Additionally, all participating companies will be automatically considered for national recognition in the National Corporate Mentoring Honor Roll promoted by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership and the White House.
The Corporate Mentoring Challenge will benefit mentoring programs throughout Omaha including MMP’s 11 partner programs: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands, Bike Union Mentoring Project, Girls Inc., Hope Center for Kids, Kids Can Community Center, Ollie Webb Center, Partnership 4 Kids, Release Ministries, YMCA Reach & Rise, Youth Emergency Services, and 100 Black Men.
Companies can learn more about the challenge and get involved by contacting Teresa Riesberg at [email protected] or 402-715-4149. Deadline to enroll in the challenge is Friday, December 15. View more details here.