A Fond Tribute to Sen. Dick Durbin for his positive contributions to the nation’s youth
June 2, 2025
“When we invest in our youth, we invest in our future.” This is just one of the inspiring quotes you may have heard during the distinguished career of U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.
In April, Sen. Durbin announced his plans to retire at the end of the 119th Congress after three decades in office serving the great state of Illinois. MENTOR congratulates Sen. Durbin on his public service and thanks him for his ongoing support of youth and his leadership in support of expanding access to quality mentoring opportunities for the nation’s young people.
In January, MENTOR recognized Senator Durbin as a 2025 Excellence in Mentoring award recipient at the National Mentoring Summit, in Washington, D.C. during National Mentoring Month. As part of this recognition, we heralded the Senator’s leadership for young people and especially for youth mentoring programs.
He has consistently pushed to increase funding for the only mentoring-specific line item in the entire federal budget, the Youth Mentoring Program. As a result of his dedication to expand resources for mentoring more youth, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, more young people have benefited from positive one-on-one, group and peer mentoring relationships.
Sen. Durbin is also the lead author of the Mentoring to Succeed Act, legislation that funds schools and community organizations to directly support quality mentoring programs that encourage students academic achievement, while helping to boost self-confidence and build essential life skills. The bill also places a special emphasis on evaluating program effectiveness, ensuring responsible use of taxpayer funds. Through his work on this bill, Sen. Durbin has demonstrated a deep understanding of mentoring as a tool to advance both educational equity and youth empowerment.
“Sen. Durbin has been a dedicated advocate and friend of mentoring and opportunities for young people. As an early supporter and lead sponsor of the Mentoring to Succeed Act, he has worked tirelessly to prioritize opportunities and relationships in the development of youth across our country. His humility and passion are evident, and we extend our congratulations and heartfelt thanks to him for his many years of service aimed at improving our public lives,” MENTOR CEO Jermaine Myrie said.Sen. Durbin has served as a mentor and role model for young people throughout his long career. Known for his tireless commitment to the nation’s youth, his impactful advocacy has helped countless young people find guidance, build a supportive network, and have increased access to quality education and opportunity.