Community Connections
[North Platte, NE] — January is National Mentoring Month, a time to recognize the powerful impact mentoring can have on individuals and communities. Community Connections is proud to celebrate this month with a variety of events and initiatives to inspire, connect, and grow mentoring relationships in our community.
Upcoming Events:
LEGO Night
When: January 21st, 4:30 – 6:30 PM
Where: Bethel Church, 2700 West Phillip What: Youth, mentors, and parents will team up to build amazing LEGO structures that represent our community or their visions for its future. This event fosters creativity, teamwork, and stronger relationships. Don’t miss this evening of fun and connection, hosted in partnership with Hope Esperanza and Bethel Church.
Great Plains Health Coffee Chats
When: January 23rd, January 30th, February 6th, and February 13th, Noon – 1:30 PM
Where: Great Plains Health, Conference Room A
What: Join us for coffee and conversation to learn about the mentoring program and how becoming a mentor can create a lasting positive impact. This event is open to Great Plains Health employees and members of the public who are interested in becoming a mentor. These events will highlight the importance of community-based mentoring and provides information on how you can get involved. Miss Nebraska, Rachael Warren, will join the Coffee Chat on February 13th to share her passion for youth mentoring.
Mentor Nebraska Visit
When: February 13th
Where: Great Plains Health, Conference Room A
What: Mentor Nebraska Mentor Nebraska’s Executive Director, Melissa Mayo, and Associate Director of Member Engagement & Learning, Melissa Westbrook will join us to discuss the importance of mentoring and support our Coffee Chat event.
Mid-Plains Community College Mentoring Night
When: February 11th at 7 pm
Where: Mid-Plains Community College, 601 W State Farm Rd, McDonald-Belton Gymnasium
What: Mentoring pairs will enjoy a VIP experience while watching a basketball game from the VIP room. Special guest Miss Nebraska, Rachael Warren, will join this event to advocate for the power of positive mentoring relationships.
The Espresso Shop Coffee Chats
When: The last two weeks in February
Where: The Espresso Shop, 408 N Chestnut
What: Wrap up Nebraska Mentoring Month with casual conversations about mentoring opportunities in our community. Come by, grab a cup of coffee, and learn how you can make a difference. Open to those interested in becoming a mentor.
Community Spotlight
As part of the celebration, be sure to check out our mentoring-focused billboard on Rodeo Road and near Willow which features one of our local mentoring pairs, showcasing the powerful connections that make our community stronger.
Why Mentoring Matters
Mentors play a crucial role in shaping the lives of young people by providing guidance, encouragement, and support. Research shows that mentors play a powerful role in providing young people with the tools to make positive choices, attend and engage in school, and reduce or avoid negative behaviors. 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.
- More than twice as likely to say they held a leadership position in a club or sports team.
Yet, the same research shows that one in three young people in our country will grow up without a mentor.
National Mentoring Month is the time of year where engagement from community members interested in becoming a mentor is highest. This year, with the support of the mentoring community, we are encouraging the public to go beyond just digital engagement and become involved in real life. Mentoring relationships are at their best when connections are made between a caring adult and a young person who knows that someone is there to help guide them through life choices.
Unique Impact of Community-Based Mentoring
One of the key advantages of community-based mentoring is the ability to explore different spaces and meet new people. Mentors and mentees can visit museums, cultural sites, conferences, and other engaging events to stimulate their conversations. These experiences help expand a mentee’s horizons, build their network, and show them the resources in the community. By engaging in fun and enriching activities, youth have the opportunity to experience new adventures, build confidence, and deepen their relationships with mentors. These moments of shared enjoyment foster trust and open the door to impactful conversations that help shape brighter futures.
About MENTOR Nebraska
MENTOR Nebraska is an affiliate of MENTOR National, the unifying champion of youth mentoring across the United States. Their mission is to increase both the quality and quantity of mentoring in Nebraska and close the mentoring gap for the one in three young people growing up without a mentor. As sponsors of our Coffee Chats, MENTOR Nebraska is dedicated to creating lasting, positive impacts through mentorship.
About Community Connections Mentoring
Since 1988, Community Connections has driven lasting, positive change for youth and families—empowering leaders, inspiring role models, and fostering a better future.
Community Connections Mentoring, established in 2000, is led by Angela Hipp, Mentoring Coordinator since 2015, and Co-Coordinator, Ted Pucylowski, who joined Community Connections in 2023. The program follows evidence-based practices from the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring. Youth are thoughtfully matched with adult volunteers who commit to 4 to 8 hours of monthly interaction. The program provides ongoing training, structured activities, and life skills classes to ensure safe, impactful relationships. Matched through a community-based mentoring program designed to expand opportunities and build confidence, youth experience transformative change that creates brighter futures.
Community Connections is always looking for compassionate individuals to join our mentoring program. Whether you’re a professional, a retiree, or someone looking to give back, your time and care can make a world of difference.
For more information about our mentoring program or to get involved, please visit www.communityconnectionslc.org/mentoring-1. If you do not reside in Lincoln County, check out the www.mentornebraska.org/become-a-mentor/ for information on a program in your area.