The newly formed South Carolina Mentoring Network brings together a coalition of organizations to empower young people through mentorship and youth development. Building on the work of the SC Mentors organization, founded by Samuel Bellamy, the Network aims to establish mentorship standards, advocate for supportive policies, and foster collaboration across the state.
The Network’s vision is to inspire a statewide culture where every young person can access transformative mentorship and youth development opportunities, fostering a brighter and more equitable future.
January is National Mentoring Month, a nationwide campaign led by MENTOR, the national unifying champion of the mentoring movement. Since its launch in 2002, the campaign has received strong support from the President and the United States Congress. National Mentoring Month celebrates the life-changing power of mentorship and calls for expanded opportunities for youth nationwide.
To mark this occasion, the Network’s first initiative will be Youth Mentoring Advocacy Day, held on January 16, 2025, at the South Carolina Statehouse. This event will highlight the importance of mentorship and youth development and engage policymakers in creating impactful changes for South Carolina’s youth.
“By uniting our efforts, we aim to honor the legacy of SC Mentors while amplifying the impact of mentorship programs across South Carolina and creating lasting change for the next generation,” said ReZsaun Lewis, Executive Director of Lowcountry Youth Services and Founding Member of the South Carolina Mentoring Network.
For more information about the South Carolina Mentoring Network or to participate in Youth Mentoring Advocacy Day, please get in touch with scmentoring@gmail.com.