Dubois County cities declare January Mentors for Youth Month

The mayors of Jasper and Huntingburg have issued joint proclamations declaring January 2026 Mentors for Youth Month to coincide with National Mentoring Month, signaling a countywide push to expand mentoring for local young people. The proclamations ask residents to support Mentors for Youth of Dubois County through direct mentoring, volunteering at events, serving on committees, or providing financial contributions, and invite community members to connect via the organization’s interest form.

At its core, the move is both symbolic and practical. Local officials framed the proclamations as a call to action for civic organizations, faith groups, schools, and employers to help build relationships that support youth development and community wellbeing. For residents, the immediate takeaway is straightforward: there are multiple ways to participate beyond one-on-one mentoring, from event staffing to governance and modest financial gifts that keep programs running.

The local emphasis on mentoring matters for economic and social reasons. Mentoring programs are among the community-level investments that strengthen human capital and reduce downstream costs tied to disengagement. By broadening the volunteer base and encouraging financial support, the proclamations aim to bolster capacity for mentoring initiatives that feed into school success, extracurricular participation, and workforce readiness — priorities for families and employers across Dubois County.

Municipal proclamations do not create funding by themselves, but they can catalyze partnerships and volunteer recruitment. City leaders expect the public visibility of a joint proclamation to help Mentors for Youth of Dubois County expand its pool of volunteers and committee members, and to encourage local philanthropy. For nonprofit coordinators and school administrators, that can mean more reliable program staffing and the ability to plan events and matches with greater confidence.

For individuals considering how to help, the proclamations outline clear entry points: commit time to mentor a young person, help at community events, lend expertise by serving on a committee, or provide financial support. Those interested can indicate their availability and interests through the organization’s interest form to be matched with opportunities.

The community stakes are practical. Stronger mentoring networks can make afterschool programs and volunteer-led initiatives more sustainable, ease pressure on stretched social services, and cultivate a pipeline of engaged, work-ready young adults. Our two cents? If you have an hour a week, a skill to share, or a few dollars to spare, take a minute to fill out the interest form and get involved — small commitments in Dubois County today can pay dividends for local kids and employers tomorrow.