There’s no doubt that young people need to be around positive adult role models. And sometimes, kids need some advice and some attention from someone who is not their parent, teacher, coach or pastor.

Seeing that need, the Fort Dodge Community School District launched a mentoring program in 1994. The goal was to recruit people from a broad spectrum of the community to spend time each week working with students at one of the district’s schools. A few high school students have been involved as well, mentoring younger students. Each mentor is paired with one student.

These mentors develop relationships with students that help motivate them to excel as they move through their academic journeys.

The program has been a success over the years. And it is still needed.

The list of kids who could benefit from a mentor in their lives seems to keep growing. The demand for mentors remains strong. The need for more individuals to accept the challenge of being a mentor is ongoing.

Stepping forward to volunteer as a mentor could be among the most important things a person could do to support their community.

If you can help, call Corey Moody, the school district’s student services and case manager, at (515) 955-1770 or email him at cmoody@fdschools.org.

We encourage adults in our community to consider becoming a mentor.

We also ask the owners and managers of local businesses to consider allowing their employees to have some time to serve as mentors.

The Messenger strongly supports this well-established mentoring project. We urge Fort Dodgers to help keep it successful in the years ahead.