HATC youth are looking for mentors like you

Dear Partners and Friends:

January is National Mentoring Month, and I want to take this opportunity to share what that means for the young people we serve at the Housing Authority of Travis County.

At HATC, our work centers on housing, but we know that a stable home is just the beginning of a young person’s journey. The children and teenagers in our communities have ambitions, questions, and potential that extend beyond the walls of their homes. What many of them need, and what too few have access to, is a mentor: a consistent adult presence outside their immediate family who believes in them and shows up.

According to MENTOR, the national mentoring advocacy organization, 74 percent of adults who had a meaningful mentor growing up credit that person with contributing significantly to their later success. Young people with mentors are more likely to feel a sense of belonging, more likely to stay engaged in school, and more likely to give back to their own communities as they grow. These are the kinds of shifts that can change the direction of a life.

This month, I am inviting our partners, businesses, organizations, and educational institutions to consider what role you might play in the lives of HATC youth. Mentoring can take many forms: one-on-one relationships, group programming, career exposure, academic support, or simply being a reliable presence. We are open to partnership models that fit your capacity and interests.

If your organization is interested in learning more or exploring how we might work together, please contact [email protected]. We welcome any inquiries.

Sincerely,

Patrick B. Howard

CEO and Executive Director

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