This January marks the 14th annual National Mentoring Month—a monthlong campaign driving awareness to the need for more mentors, the widespread impact of mentoring relationships, and all of the important work being done to provide mentors for young people. Wondering how you can get involved? Look no further! Here are 5 things you can do during National Mentoring Month to make a difference!

1. ’31 Days of Recruitment’

Our goal is to visit 31 groups or companies in 31 Days in an effort to inspire you, your friends, and your co-workers to become a Big Brother or Big Sister. To do this, we need your help! Fill out the company recommendation form on this page, we’ll follow up with you to get more info + the name of a contact person, and we’ll do the rest of the work.

2. Charity in Bloom

Brighten up your loved ones’ day in the name of mentoring!

Yellow roses are well known as a symbol of friendship—send arrangements of cheery yellow blooms to friends this January, and support the life-giving friendships made through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay (BBBSMB) year round.

Purchase your arrangement from Winston Flowers here!

3. Participate in our Volunteer Referral Program

Active and alumni Bigs know first-hand how amazing this program is and we’ve learned that volunteers who were referred to our program by their friends (active or alumni Bigs) are more likely to get matched; having longer, more impactful matches. We put together these tools & materials to help you spread the word about BBBSMB and give another Little like yours an opportunity to find an awesome Big like you!

4. Make a Donation in Honor of Your Little

The majority of our funding comes from individual donors and we’ve vowed to increase the number of children served each year, which requires more funding and staff to support them. It’s no easy feat, but our job won’t be done until every kid that could benefit from having a mentor has one. Make a donation (or ask your friends and family to make a donation!) in honor of your Little here.

5. Celebrate ‘Thank A Mentor Day’ (Jan. 17^th)

Michael Jordan and Dean Smith, Head Coach of the UNC Men’s Basketball team ’61-’97

You may not have had a Big Brother or Sister growing up, but take some time out of your day to thank an informal mentor that played a role in helping you become the person you are today.