Advocacy August is here – join MENTOR in lifting our voices for youth mentoring!
July 29, 2025
MENTOR’s annual Advocacy August campaign is back! Each year, we use this month to educate, inspire, and activate passionate advocates across the country to speak up for the power of mentoring – no matter your level of experience or comfort with advocacy.
This year, we’re focusing on how to advocate effectively in today’s uncertain and ever-changing landscape. Each week, we’ll explore a different theme to help us learn, reflect, and take action – together.
At the heart of all effective advocacy is a simple and powerful formula:
Advocacy = Education + Relationship
Whether you’re engaging local, state, or federal leaders, this equation can guide your approach. When we show up to educate decision-makers and build relationships over time, real change becomes possible.
MENTOR believes that advocacy is one of the most empowering tools available to the public – but it only works if we choose to use it.
That’s why we’re inviting you to take a small but meaningful step this month:
- Reach out to at least one public official – whether it’s your city council member, mayor, state legislator, or a member of Congress – and share why mentoring matters to you. Encourage them to use their platform to expand access to quality mentoring opportunities for all young people.
We know scheduling meetings with public officials can take time, so start now and get something on the books: a phone call, virtual meeting, or in-person conversation.
Once you meet with them, don’t forget to log your engagement here – this helps us track our collective momentum and impact.
We’re excited to kick things off this week with a special message from Mayor Ewing of Omaha, Nebraska. Join us throughout August as we explore ways that we can collectively advance bright futures and opportunities for our nation’s youth – one conversation at a time.
