Great People have Great Mentors

Great People Have Great Mentors is a campaign that provides information to youth with disabilities on seeking or being a mentor. People who have mentors achieve more achievements. People who have mentors attain their objectives. Operated in 2014, Great People Have Great Mentors campaign has achieved great responses and support from everyone.

The Great People, Great Mentors Campaign grew out of ERI's involvement in Goodstock 2014, a 24-hour marketing marathon in which advertising agency KW2 collaborates with Dane County non-profit groups to apply their creative talents to important causes. Aiming to help people with disabilities, the KW2 team proposed finding a mentor to encourage people with impairments to think about their career and employment options. The Wisconsin Disability Benefits Network is in charge of funding this project (WDBN). The campaign covers diverse aspects, not just from the perspective of the individuals that need mentors but also from other relevant people, for example, the parents who have always stayed by their side since childhood. This gives readers an insight into what a daily life of a disabled person looks like.  So, why is mentoring important? According to research, mentorship is especially beneficial in assisting youth with disabilities in transitioning into the job and adulthood. Mentors encourage young people to participate in practical activities and achieve higher educational goals.

According to the Mentoring Effect, young adults who are at-risk, however, had a mentor were more likely than those who did not have a mentor to:  - Hold a leadership role in a club, sports team, school council, or other groups (51 percent versus 22 percent). - Those who did not have a mentor reported participating in more sports or extracurricular activities (67 percent versus 37 percent).

This campaign sets three goals: - Assist school counselors in connecting disabled students with mentors. - Encourage people with disabilities to pursue education, employment, and career opportunities. - Increase mentorship relationships for disabled young people.