Children Uniting Nations (CUN), a nonprofit working with foster and at-risk youth, was recently named the lead agency for National Mentoring Month (NMM) in Los Angeles this month.

CUN has partnered with four leading nonprofits, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater LA, Los Angeles Cares Mentoring Movement, Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters and Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters to raise awareness, recruit mentors and increase fundraising.

NMM will launch a “Multi Faith Movement” in collaboration with churches and synagogues across Los Angeles Jan. 15-17 by passing out literature, showcasing videos, signing up potential mentors (within each respective religious guidelines) throughout Los Angeles.

CUN and partners will enlist radio stations, broadcast and print media to announce the movement and run public service announcements with Colin Powell expressing the importance of mentoring.

A press conference Wednesday at City Hall discussed NMM with support from celebrities and elected officials.

CUN founder and Beverly Hills resident Daphna Ziman, said, “I am elated for such a commitment of solidarity to our foster and at-risk youth with our partner organizations that are leading by example through working together with respect and a mutual understanding that through mentoring, education, community partnerships, and civic engagement, we can help our most needy children and ensure a brighter future for everyone.”

The goals of NMM are to:

•     Raise awareness of mentoring in its various forms.

•     Recruit individuals to mentor, especially in programs that have waiting lists of young people.

•     Promote the rapid growth of mentoring by recruiting organizations to engage their constituents in mentoring

Since its launch in 2002, NMM won supported from the U.S president and congress. Prominent individuals who have participated in the “NMM Campaign” include: former President Bill Clinton, Sen. John McCain, Gen. Powell, Clint Eastwood, Maya Angelou, Susan L. Taylor,  Quincy Jones, Cal Ripken, Jr., Bill Russell and Usher.

“Children Uniting Nations was created to bring attention to the plight of at-risk and foster youth. The goal is to reach as many children in out-of-home care by offering role-model support, guidance, a sense of community and promote the importance of an education,” said Ziman

“CUN provides foster children with a voice…a mentor, to encourage and motivate them to overcome their challenges so that they may gain academic and social skills, values, and confidence to achieve their potential,” Ziman added..

CUN works with government entities like the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the state of California, and the federal government to support services for foster youth.