Celebrating National Mentoring Month
“Having strong mentorship in college allowed me to become more connected and gave me access to multiple internship and job opportunities. Because I had strong mentorship through the Choose901 Alumni Program, I was supported, encouraged, and guided throughout college. Their guidance inspired me to become a mentor in college and allowed me to empower others to achieve college success and reach their greatest potential.”
Think back to a moment when someone believed in you—a teacher, a coach, a neighbor, or maybe an employer who saw your potential even when you didn’t. That feeling of being seen, understood, and encouraged comes from the power of mentorship.
This January, during National Mentoring Month, we’re spotlighting the mentors who shape Memphis—and the role Give901 plays in empowering those relationships. From the classrooms to basketball courts, and even music studios, mentorship plays a pivotal role in Give901’s mission to uplift the next generation. Thanks to your support, hundreds of lives are being transformed every day.
Why Mentorship Matters
Mentorship meets a basic human need: knowing you matter and aren’t alone. According to a study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, having a mentor does more than boost confidence—it changes lives.
Here’s how mentorship makes an impact:
Leadership: Young people with mentors are twice as likely to volunteer and step into leadership roles.
Lifelong success: 74% of those with meaningful mentors credit them with shaping their futures.
Academic growth: 85% of students say their mentor helped them succeed in school.
Mental health support: 58% say their mentor guided them through tough emotional challenges.
Timeless advice: 60% of individuals under 40 still lean on lessons from their childhood mentors.
Mentoring Memphis’ Next Leaders: The Choose901 Alumni Program
One of our campaigns is the Choose901 Alumni Program, which Give901 supports through monthly giving and volunteerism. Designed to empower over 2,800 graduates from underserved communities across six partner schools, this program connects young adults with mentors who guide them through life after high school.
Tailored support: Alumni receive bi-monthly check-ins for job placement, professional development, and community-building resources.
Networking opportunities: Exclusive events help alumni create relationships with local professionals like The Exchange, which fosters the sharing of talent, leadership, networks, opportunities, and dreams for Memphis.
Big goals: As the alumni program grows, so does the need for more Give901 members. By 2030, we aim to expand our network to 5,000 members to match the increasing number of graduates in the pipeline.
“The Choose901 Alumni Program gave me a sense of relief. I gained an entire community of individuals there to support me post-high school and with my career.”
Partnering with Memphis Mentorship Champions
The work doesn’t stop there. Give901 partners with organizations that share our vision for making mentorship a key part of Memphis:
Memphis Grizzlies Foundation: Connecting youth with mentors through sports, building skills for success both on and off the court.
Stax Music Academy: Empowering students through the arts while offering life skills and career guidance.
Streets Ministries: Providing safe spaces and mentorship for at-risk youth to help them thrive.
Memphis Athletic Ministries: Using sports to mentor underserved youth, fostering growth academically, emotionally, and spiritually.
How You Can Get Involved
Here are two ways you can support mentorship this National Mentoring Month:
Become a Mentor: Whether it’s providing career advice, leading a professional development workshop, or providing an internship, Choose901 Alumni is always looking for more mentors to serve our growing number of Alumni. Click here for more ideas on how to become a mentor.
Become a Give901 Member: When you become a Give901 member, you donate an hour of pay each month to directly support our mentorship program and the work we do to support other mentoring organizations. It’s one of the simplest ways to make a difference.
We’re so grateful for the support of Give901 members who make it possible for our mentorship efforts to continue to grow. Together, we’re building a better Memphis, one hour at a time.
