Oregon Mentors originally began from a national youth development campaign called America’s Promise. One of the five promises that was part of America’s Promise, led by General Colin Powell, was that each child should have an “ongoing relationship with a caring adult – parent, mentor, tutor or coach.”
A number of people in Oregon began researching the idea of having a mentoring program in their state. After two years of research, they started the Oregon Mentoring Initiative, which soon became the Oregon Mentors and they launched it in January of 2001.
Today, groups such as the Portland Trail Blazers with Greg Oden, individuals, businesses and more help to keep the mentoring program working and growing for Oregon’s youth.