March 14, 2006

Governor’s Column: Mentoring can change lives

The following is a column by Governor Kathleen Sebelius:

Like most Kansans, I had the good fortune to be born to wonderful parents. But through no fault of their own, some children don’t have caring adult role models.

All Kansas children deserve someone they can look up to, and all Kansas parents deserve help pushing back the threats from popular culture so they can instill in their children the values that lead to a good life.

That’s where mentors come in.

Former K-State football coach Bill Snyder has agreed to continue his career of mentoring young Kansans by leading Kansas Mentors – a statewide effort to promote mentoring and to encourage more adults to become caring role models for Kansas children.

This week, Coach Snyder and I launched the Kansas Mentors Web site – www.ksmentors.ks.gov– where Kansans can go to find a mentoring program in their area.

There are dozens of great mentoring efforts already underway in Kansas communities, and we want to help connect Kansas children and adults with them.

If your mentoring program isn’t listed, please let us know so we can add you to our list of mentoring efforts around Kansas. We also hope to help communities without a mentoring program to start one.

Mentoring really can change lives. Research shows children and young adults who have mentors do better in school, are less likely to use drugs and alcohol, and are less likely to get into fights.

We invest in our children’s schools and get involved in their lives because we care about our children and want them to reach their God-given potential. I hope you’ll join Coach Snyder and me in creating a brighter future for all Kansas children by being a part of Kansas Mentors.