(KAIR)--There are millions of children in the country who are missing someone to show them how to do some of the small tasks in life that many of us take for granted. January is mentoring month, a time set aside to raise awareness for the often overlooked need of youth mentoring.

Marisa Kelley is the Case Manager for the Atchison Area Big Brothers, Big Sisters program, and she says her program offers two different options for adults who may be interested in mentoring a child. A community based mentor would meet with their child three or four times a month for about a hour. They would do things such as taking their child to a sporting event, or taking them to their home to cook a meal together. A school based mentor would meet with their child once a week at their school and interact with them by helping with homework, or simply having lunch with them.

Statistics show that kids who are paired with a mentor excel in many different ways throughout their life. Kelley says kids matched in their program are 52 percent less likely to skip a day of school, since they look forward to seeing their mentor, and do not want to miss out on spending time with them. They are also 46 percent less likely to use illegal drugs and 75 percent more likely to receive a degree from a four year college.

The Atchison Area Big Brothers, Big Sisters program has a goal of reaching at least 120 kids in the area who need a mentor. Kelley says that as of now, they only have six matches, so there is a real need.

If you are interested in becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, you can call Marisa at 913-547-2052.