January is National Mentoring Month, and it offers an important reminder that mentorship is a proven catalyst for confidence, resilience and long-term success, especially for girls. Long before a young person steps into a leadership role or imagines a future career, someone has to show up, listen and believe in her potential.

At Girl Scouts of Central California South, we see the impact of mentorship every day. Across Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera and Tulare counties, we currently serve thousands of girls, supported by a dedicated network of adult volunteers. These volunteers aren’t just overseeing activities or helping girls earn badges — they are mentors modeling curiosity, encouraging perseverance and helping girls navigate moments of uncertainty and growth.

Mentorship doesn’t require perfection or expertise. It’s about being present in meaningful moments: when a girl hesitates before raising her hand but does it anyway, when she wrestles with a problem and finds the courage to ask for help or when she takes initiative and someone affirms her effort. These moments may seem small, but they are foundational. Research from the Girl Scout Impact Study shows that Girl Scouts are significantly more likely than their peers to have an adult who encourages them to pursue goals and think about their future — an outcome directly tied to consistent mentorship.

Our programming is intentionally designed to weave mentorship into every experience, from troop meetings and community service projects to outdoor adventures and STEM exploration. Girls build skills in teamwork, financial literacy and problem-solving, guided by adults who don’t just teach, but entrust them with the responsibility to shape their own futures.

I’ve seen the power of mentorship firsthand. Some of the most influential mentors in my own life were women who challenged me to think bigger, listen better and lead with purpose. They didn’t just open doors — they showed me how to hold them open for others. The belief they had in me shaped how I view leadership today and reinforced something I now see reflected in our Girl Scouts every day: when someone invests in you, you feel a responsibility to invest in others.

This National Mentoring Month, I encourage our community to consider how we can all pay it forward. Whether through volunteering, supporting youth programs or simply showing up consistently for a young person, mentorship is one of the most powerful ways we can shape the future. Girls  who know someone believes in them today become the leaders who will believe in others tomorrow — and that is an investment worth making.

---

Dr. Russel Statham is CEO of Girl Scouts of Central California South.