BILL NUMBER: SCR 61	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Price

                        JANUARY 6, 2010

   Relative to proclaiming National Mentoring Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 61, as introduced, Price. National Mentoring Month.
   This measure would proclaim the month of January 2010 as National
Mentoring Month.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, The citizens of California recognize that our success
depends on helping every child succeed in school and reach his or her
full potential in life, and realize that young people need a solid
foundation of support that will help them become well-educated,
confident, and productive citizens; and
   WHEREAS, Mentoring is a proven, effective strategy that helps
children and young adults by matching them with caring, responsible
adults who can provide guidance and direction and build their
confidence; and
   WHEREAS, Mentors build character, encourage success, boost
confidence, lift expectations, and expand the universe of a child,
serving as friends, role models, teachers, and sources of stability
and support during a critical time in a child's life; and
   WHEREAS, Research shows that mentoring has beneficial long-term
effects on youth by increasing their chances of high school
graduation and college attendance and decreasing the likelihood of
substance abuse and other risky behaviors; and
   WHEREAS, Mentoring strengthens our state's economic and social
well-being by helping young people fulfill their potential while
helping maintain healthy families and promoting more vibrant
communities; and
   WHEREAS, Every day, residents of California are making a profound
difference in the lives of our young people by serving as mentors,
supported by many private and public sector organizations that offer
mentoring opportunities for youth; and
   WHEREAS, Thousands of California's children are in need of a
caring adult mentor in their lives, and closing this mentoring gap
will take more investment, more partnerships, and more volunteers
ready to make a difference in a child's life; and
   WHEREAS, The Obama Administration is working to expand mentoring
and other volunteer opportunities across America through its United
We Serve initiative, the Corporation for National and Community
Service, and other agencies and programs; and
   WHEREAS, National Mentoring Month is an opportunity to raise
public awareness of the importance of mentoring, to recognize the
dedicated individuals who serve as mentors, and to encourage more
citizens to help build a brighter future for California's youth
through mentoring; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims the month of
January 2010 as National Mentoring Month, and calls upon the people
of the State of California to recognize the importance of mentoring,
to look for opportunities to serve as mentors in their communities,
and to observe this month with appropriate activities and programs;
and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.