[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 25, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCTION OF THE MENTORING FOR ALL ACT OF 2009

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                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 25, 2009

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
the Mentoring for All Act of 2009 to support and greatly enhance youth 
mentoring efforts in the United States.
  We currently face a mentoring deficit in our country. An estimated 15 
million children could benefit from a healthy mentoring relationship, 
but no responsible adult mentor is available. We would see amazing 
results by reducing this deficit.
  In fact, studies show the benefits of youth mentoring on our 
children. Those who have a healthy mentoring relationship are more 
likely to graduate from high school and go to college. They are less 
likely to turn to drugs or substance abuse. Children who grow up with a 
caring mentor are more likely to live full and productive lives.
  The Mentoring for All Act will increase the number of children who 
will benefit from a responsible mentor and improve the quality of our 
mentoring programs nationwide.
  Specifically, ``Mentoring Partnerships'' are the central entity 
providing assistance and guidance to the youth mentoring organizations 
within a state or region. This legislation will strengthen mentoring 
programs on both the local and state levels by supporting Mentoring 
Partnerships.
  A Mentoring Partnership provides training and technical assistance, 
recruits mentors, engages statewide leadership, and advances research 
and knowledge for successful mentoring. That is, the partnerships 
support local organizations that operate mentoring programs and provide 
in most cases a state-wide infrastructure network to coordinate 
success. The partnerships have led to stronger mentoring programs and 
more children in healthy mentoring relationships.
  This legislation will provide grants to Mentoring Partnerships and 
sub-grants to local mentoring organizations to directly support youth 
mentoring. In addition, the legislation will connect individual state 
Mentoring Partnerships to a central location through the Corporation 
for National and Community Service, increasing communication and 
information sharing nationwide for successful outcomes.
  Madam Speaker, investing in youth mentoring programs is a worthy 
endeavor. It is time we acted to provide a mentor to our children in 
need of a responsible role model. Thank you very much for considering 
this legislation.

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