Communities in Schools of Renton is calling on members of the community to become mentors for their New Year’s resolution.

Mentor Program Manager Mara Fiksdal is asking for investment in Renton’s youth as January marks Mentoring Month in the city.

“The needs in the community are greater than they have been in the past,” Fiksdal said.

The demographics of the area have changed since the group started in Renton in 1995 and they are hearing a lot from family liaisons in the district on increasing needs in the community, she said.

CIS of Renton currently has about 180 children in their mentoring program. However, for every one child that is paired with a mentor, at least five additional students could use a mentor.

The need is especially great for male mentors, Fiksdal said.

The organization recruits and trains new mentors year-round. Volunteers don’t have to worry about brushing up on their skills, as mentors are just encouraged to show up each week, build trust and serve as a consistent caring adult in the lives of students.

Fiksdal has been with CIS of Renton since September. She is urging Renton business leaders to consider how they can encourage and enable their employees to serve as mentors.

“Sometimes all it takes is for an employer to add an extra 15 minutes to an employee’s lunch break one day a week, allowing them enough time to get to and from a mentoring session,” Fiksdal said.

For more information about how to become a mentor, contact Fiksdal at mfiksdal@rentonwa.gov or by calling 425-430-6659.

CIS of Renton is also on Facebook and Twitter.