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About National Cares Mentoring Movement

National Cares Mentoring Movement (NCMM) is an urgent call-to-action encouraging able adults to mentor vulnerable young people by partnering with some of the nation’s most trusted community service organizations, such as the National Urban League, 100 Black Men of America, The Links, Incorporated and the Y.W.C.A.

Originally introduced as the ESSENCE Cares® initiative in 2006, the NCMM is led by Susan L. Taylor, editor emeritus of Essence magazine. Thomas W. Dortch is the NCMM co-chair and chairman emeritus, 100 Black Men of America. The movement’s mission is simple, yet powerful: to create the largest mentoring campaign in the history of the nation and increase high school graduation rates.

Ultimately, the NCMM aims to increase the high school graduation rate by 10 percent in each successive year; to send youngsters to two-year and four-year colleges and industrial/technical training schools and to stem the pipeline to prison of African-Americans, particularly black males.

This nationwide recruitment effort aims to connect more than 1 million willing adults with youth ages 6-18 who live in at-risk communities. Mentors may participate individually or gather a number of friends and, together, mentor a group of youth.

Anheuser-Busch’s Support

When Susan Taylor first announced the initiative at the Essence Music Festival, Anheuser-Busch immediately recognized the potentially life-changing impact it could have in shaping future leaders and transforming local communities. As a founding sponsor, the company donated $250,000 in 2008 to help mobilize local CARES Circles in cities across the nation. Anheuser-Busch has been a supporter of the Essence Music Festival, the nation's largest celebration of black music and culture, since it launched in 1995.

Impact

“Through the support of companies like Anheuser-Busch and the commitment of individuals around the country, we will end this state of emergency in Black America. Linking arms and aims, we will open wide the pathways to happiness, wholeness and high achievement for our struggling youngsters,” said Taylor.

More than 31 CARES Circles, the local, grassroots recruitment efforts, have been launched in 20 states. Many more cities around the country are gearing up to enlist mentors in their communities.

The California Mentor Foundation Summer 1999 Study revealed that youngsters who are mentored are approximately 98 percent less likely to drop out of school; the boys are less likely to join a gang and the girls are less likely to become teenage mothers.

The National Cares Mentoring Movement aims to mobilize massive numbers of people – from college students to retirees – to work with existing organizations to support and elevate vulnerable youngsters. As Taylor often says: “Mentoring works miracles and all it takes is time and caring.”