"Who mentored you?" That’s the slogan behind National Mentoring Month, a nationwide campaign newly launched this January by the Harvard Mentoring Project at HSPH in collaboration with the National Mentoring Partnership. The project marshals the resources of major American media companies to call upon individuals, companies and community groups to help young people. The plan is to promote National Mentoring Month every January.

"If we stop for a minute to remember the people who made an impact on our lives growing up–and then think about what our lives would have been like without these mentors–we will realize what a difference a mentor can make," said Susan Moses, co-director of the Harvard Mentoring Project and deputy director of the Center for Health Communication.

Moses said improvements in the lives of young people do not necessarily result from grand efforts. Offering encouragement and just listening can make differences.

"It’s the consistency of the relationship that counts," said Moses.

The Center for Health Communication at HSPH and its partners started the Harvard Mentoring Project four years ago. Since then, the project has received more than $150 million in donated television airtime and has generated more than 700,000 telephone calls from individuals wanting information on community mentoring programs. The Center for Health Communication previously created the highly successful National Designated Driver Campaign.

The National Mentoring Month campaign features television ads produced by HBO; Tom Fontana, executive producer of the HBO show Oz, donated his services as director and executive producer. ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC have all created their own network-sponsored public service announcements airing this month. In many of the country’s large media markets, television network affiliates are sponsoring on-air campaigns in collaboration with local mentoring programs.

Donated full-page ads are running in The New York Times, in collaboration with The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, and in magazines and newspapers.

The United States Postal Service has printed 100 million "Mentoring a Child" stamps that were released yesterday.

Through posters and other public relations tools, the campaign is also reaching out to people with the slogan of "Who mentored you?" followed by suggestions to "pass it on" by volunteering as a mentor.

Well-known, non-profit organizations are taking part in the campaign, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Save the Children and the United Way.

Research has indicated that mentoring helps prevent unhealthy or dangerous behavior. In a study conducted by Public/Private Ventures in 1995, 1,000 young people on the waiting list of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America were randomly assigned to two groups: one with mentors and one without. More than a year later, the groups were compared. The children with mentors were less likely to begin using illegal drugs and alcohol, skip school and be violent.

The Center for Health Communication estimates that almost 16 million children in the United States could use the help of mentors but only between 500,000 and 750,000 are enrolled in programs.

Mentors are not expected to make large time commitments. Many programs ask for one to two hours from volunteers every other week. Moses points out that mentors benefit from the relationship as much as children do.

"We as adults often forget the wonder of being a kid," said Moses. "Young people are resilient, hopeful and energetic."

Justin Pasquariello, a program director at the Mass Mentoring Project, can attest to the perks of mentoring. A Harvard graduate, he has been a "big brother" to 15-year-old Sean Mathias of Boston for more than four years. Pasquariello describes his relationship with Mathias as a friendship. The pair usually meets weekly for activities such as going to the movies, playing miniature golf or simply walking around and talking. Pasquariello plans to create his own mentoring program.

"Mentoring is an opportunity to do something that gives a sense of satisfaction, but it’s not about feeling like you’re doing a service," said Pasquariello. "It’s about having fun. Both people really benefit."

Moses said that since the attacks of September 11th, many people are searching for ways to make a difference.

"Here’s a way to help kids within your own community," she said. "It is a great opportunity to channel your energy and feel good about helping a young person achieve his or her hopes and dreams."

People, companies or organizations interested in becoming mentors may visit www.mentoring.org or call 1-888-432-MENTOR. Free training to become a mentor is also available online.