US HR1047

Recognizes January 2026 as "National Mentoring Month" to celebrate mentoring relationships and recruit new mentors

Acknowledges that 40% of young people lack a mentor outside the home, creating a "mentoring gap" requiring private, public, and nonprofit collaboration

Highlights research showing mentored youth at risk of not completing high school are more likely to enroll in college, participate in extracurriculars, hold leadership positions, and volunteer—while being less likely to start using drugs

Promotes expansion of quality mentoring programs to support educational achievement, career development, reduced juvenile delinquency, and improved mental health outcomes

Notes 70% of volunteer mentors find the relationship highly satisfying and 80% plan to continue mentoring