Athletes for Hope and MENTOR announced a partnership today. Our member athletes will help call attention to the importance of mentoring and encourage their fans nationwide to sign up to become mentors. The partnership kicks off this National Mentoring Month with an exclusive video spot featuring U.S. National Soccer star Megan Rapinoe being “mentored” by a young girl to highlight the power of positive relationships.

Research shows that mentors play a powerful role in providing young people with the tools to make responsible choices, attend and engage in school, and reduce or avoid risky behavior like drug use. In turn, these young people are:

• 55% more likely to be enrolled in college
• 81% more likely to report participating regularly in sports or extracurricular
  activities
• 78% more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities

Athletes for Hope brings athletes together to educate, inspire and empower them to make a difference in the world, launches this partnership with MENTOR to elevate the importance of mentoring and encourage others to become mentors, too.

This month and beyond, AFH athletes will participate in a variety of activities with MENTOR. This included a #MentorIRL Twitter Chat on January 11 with 27 AFH athletes, which engaged dozens of athletes, individuals, and organizations about the importance of mentoring. Stay tuned for more ways to get involved.