; Whereas youth development experts agree that mentoring encourages positive youth development such as finishing homework, having healthy social interactions, and has a positive impact on a young person’s growth and success; Whereas mentors prepare young people for professional careers by helping them set career goals, introducing them to industry professionals, and helping them train for and find jobs; Whereas mentoring relationships are a shared opportunity for learning and growth, changing both the mentor and the mentee; Whereas all of the above listed benefits link youth to economic and social opportunity while also strengthening our communities; and Whereas despite these benefits, 9 million young people in the United States feel isolated from meaningful connections with adults outside their homes, constituting a mentoring gap that demonstrates a need for collaboration and resources: Now, therefore, be it