By Beth Albee

Pathway Partners

If you have been fortunate enough to have had a mentor in your life, please take time today to say, “Thank you.” As part of National Mentoring Month, Thursday, Jan. 21, was “Thank Your Mentor Day.”

Some of us have had the good fortune of having a positive role model, a mentor, who has influenced us at a pivotal time in our lives. We may not have recognized it at the time. Often times, only in looking back months or years later do we realize the impact that person made.

For many of us, a mentoring relationship occurred naturally — perhaps a teacher, coach, friend of our parents, extended family member, or employer. We have been lucky in that respect.

For many children today, a mentoring relationship might not be a natural occurrence. Many families do not have a strong network or circle of contacts that allow for natural mentoring to take place. Research has substantiated that less advantaged children are not as likely to have the network of support that a child in a more affluent home might.

Because of this, the importance of organized mentoring programs like Pathway Partners is critical to fostering mentoring opportunities. A United Way Partner Program, Pathway Partners Mentoring Program has a 16-year history at Marshfield High School. Pathway Partners Mentoring Program is free and is available to all students at the high school.

It is fair to say that all children benefit from having positive adults in their life.

If you are interested in giving someone else the chance to have a quality mentoring relationship, please contact Beth Albee, Pathway Partners Mentoring Program director, at 715-387-8464, ext. 4335 or [email protected].