The La Porte Common Council on Jan. 5 read and adopted a proclamation declaring January 2026 as National Mentoring Month for the City of La Porte.

Jackie Dermody, director of Family Advocates, spoke to the council about the program and said it operates across seven schools serving more than 200 students with over 150 mentors currently active. Dermody invited residents to sign up and provided contact information and a website for applications. Council President Franke, a long-time program mentor, read the proclamation and encouraged citizens 21 and older to consider mentoring.

The proclamation recognized research showing mentoring improves academic outcomes and reduces risky behavior, and the council posed for a photo with Family Advocates representatives after the reading. Family Advocates was asked to share application information and to continue outreach for volunteers.