Volunteering on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has become a tradition in DREAM. On January 16, eight mentees ages 13 and up from our Local Programs across Vermont came together for a day of job skills training, team building activities, fun and games.

The day kicked off with sessions focused on developing job interview skills and filling out applications to a variety of businesses and organizations. Teens and staff then worked on creating resumes and lists of accomplishments to highlight their skills and interests. An extended brainstorm period allowed teens to structure part of the upcoming DREAM Teen Retreat, an overnight event in which participants take part in facilitated discussions on issues including healthy body image, sexuality, and career planning. Finally, the teens and staff learned about making healthy food choices with a fun and energizing scavenger hunt competition in a local Shaw's Supermarket.

On its National Service Blog, Corporation for National and Community Service CEO Robert Velasco, II states that over a million high school students drop out each year, and one-third of all students do not graduate on time. “The problem is even more severe among African American and Latino youth, and those from low-income backgrounds... at the root of the problem is the fact that many of these young people do not have the benefit of a caring and committed adult in their lives.”

CNCS, the government program that also over oversees AmeriCorps, is the national coordinator for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Serice. DREAM teens and staff were just a few of the thousands of volunteers, including President and Mrs. Obama and Vice President Biden, who chose to spend their holiday volunteering for causes important to them.

DREAM is committed not only to pairing our youth and teens with caring adult mentors, but also providing them with enriching activities outside of their weekly mentoring program. We believe this dedication to service to children of all backgrounds from low-income neighborhoods would make Dr. King proud.

Check out photos from our Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service by clicking here!

For the 11th year, the President has declared January as National Mentoring Month. President Obama issued a proclamation on January 3, beginning "Every day, mentors help young Americans face the challenges of growing into adulthood. By setting a positive example and sharing their time, knowledge, and experience, mentors play an essential role in preparing our Nation's youth for a bright future."

Despite all the benefits of youth mentoring, the President went on to note that only about three million children in the United States have mentors; a fraction of the 15 million in need of "a caring adult mentor in their lives."

In honor of National Mentoring Month, Mobius Mentors, a Chittenden County youth mentoring advocacy organization, holds an annual Thank Your Mentor Breakfast. This year's presenters included Senator Patrick Leahy, and Burlington Chief of Police Michael Schirling. Molly Mulcahy and Amer Avdagic, both mentors from our Elm St. program, were among the volunteers recognized throughout the morning as Molly received an Honored Mentor award and addressed the crowd with her mentee, Noah.

DREAM would like to thank Mobius for putting on this special event, and to Senator Leahy, Michael Schirling, and anybody who supports youth mentoring during National Mentoring Month.