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Montgomery County Council proclaims January National Mentoring Month, spotlights school and nonprofit programs
Summary
The Montgomery County Council and County Executive issued a proclamation recognizing National Mentoring Month on Jan. 21, 2025, and highlighted local programs including a schoolwide staff mentoring pilot at Clarksburg High School and countywide nonprofit partnerships.
The Montgomery County Council and County Executive Mark Elrich on Jan. 21 proclaimed January 2025 as National Mentoring Month and recognized local mentoring organizations and school programs that pair adults with young people for academic and social support.
At the council session, Council Vice President (identified in the transcript as Geowando) introduced representatives of local mentoring organizations and said the county will highlight mentoring groups monthly through the Council’s Education and Culture Committee. Several nonprofit leaders described their programs: Joseph Hooks, founding director of 40 Club, said his program uses student-athletes as mentors; Anthony Featherstone of WorkSource Montgomery noted workforce continuity for older youth; Shelly Sams described Community Bridges’ K–12 girls mentoring; Michelle Joseph said SCAP Leaders serves about 5,000 students; Zaina Abbas described Scitech 2U’s STEM mentoring; and Aidan of Kid Power said the DC-based nonprofit is expanding into Montgomery County.
Clarksburg High School’s assistant principal Dan Mulcahy accepted recognition for the school’s 1 Pack mentorship program. Mulcahy said staff members identify students through a weeks-long process based on social-emotional concerns, attendance and academic indicators and match each selected student with an adult in the building. He said the program has expanded to include the entire staff in its third year and described it as a continuing effort with more work ahead.
Dayan, regional manager for Mentor Maryland DC, said the county’s mentoring ecosystem aims to create a continuum of care from pre-K through entry to career and emphasized partnerships among nonprofits, schools and workforce programs. County Executive Mark Elrich described mentoring as “important” for children and adults, said the council consistently funds mentoring-oriented programs in the county budget and thanked organizers for their work.
The council read a formal proclamation noting research-based benefits of mentoring, citing lower school absenteeism and lower rates of substance use among youth who meet regularly with mentors. The proclamation, signed by County Executive Mark Elrich and Council President Kate Stewart, was presented to representatives of local mentoring organizations.
The event emphasized partnerships among nonprofits, schools and county government but did not include a council vote or budget action during the proclamation segment. Speakers asked the council to continue funding and support for mentoring programs countywide.
