“In The Arena” — Read the newest Forge newsletter about our Mentorship Program!

There’s a problem facing young conservatives. No, I’m not talking about leftism on college campuses or media bias – as rampant as those things are. What young conservatives often face is a crisis of isolation. 

Several years ago when I was out of college and neck deep in Ohio politics, I noticed a trend. Many of my peers aspired to lead and positively impact politics and culture. However, Forge co-founder Justin Powell and I realized that without carefully chosen mentors and networks of steadfast friends, these well-intentioned young leaders might slowly morph into self-absorbed manipulators. Young people struggled to find mentors who were both principled conservatives and strategic leaders, leaving them compromised, disillusioned, or burned out.

This is one of the main reasons we started Forge – to provide both the friendships and mentorships to solve the isolation dilemma. A central feature of the Forge Mentorship Academy is that Forge secures each student a personalized mentor who is a leader of strong character in the professional field they hope to impact. There is a generation of young conservatives who want guidance, and there are qualified and principled leaders who have wisdom to share; what’s needed is an introduction. That’s where Forge comes in.

I hope this newsletter highlights the pivotal role Forge mentors play in the growth of tomorrow’s leaders. 

As a valued Forge Champion, you should have received your physical copy in the mail (if you haven’t received it yet, please let us know!)

Highlights From This Edition

“The multi-billion dollar self-help industry has no shortage of committed followers. There are plenty of gurus, courses, and books that flaunt extravagant promises of career advancement and  personal happiness. 

The problem is, personal growth rarely happens outside of vibrant relationships with other people.

When we match our Academy students with mentors, our goal is not only to connect students with consummate professionals in their chosen field, we want to help foster mentorships that will develop our student’s character, personal life, and careers. In many ways, the mentorship program is the capstone of the students’ year in the Academy and serves as a launch pad for years to come. 

What makes mentorships through Forge so different from what someone might read in a book or learn from a podcast? It’s precisely what the self-help industry can’t offer – relationships. The difference between self-help and mentorship is that the advice of a mentor comes from someone who has been in the arena before you and who will fight alongside you.

Read the full article here

 

Savannah Deretich, 2019-2020 Alumna

“Working in the pro-life movement is anything but lonely. You only need to attend the annual March for Life to see the estimated 50,000 – 100,000 attendees proclaiming the value of human life to see that many people from across the nation are committed and standing firm on their convictions. After leading the pro-life movement on my college campus, I took a full-time position after graduation with Students for Life of America. Through Forge, I have been paired with an amazing mentor who shares my passions. 

I cannot fully express my excitement over having Alison Howard Centofante as my Forge mentor. Alison is such an inspiration to me and so many other young women in the pro-life movement.

Read the full article here

…and so much more!

We hope you enjoy this newest Forge newsletter highlighting our amazing mentors and students. We are so grateful for the mentors who give of their time and talent to raise up a generation of strong conservative leaders and we hope that their stories inspire you. 

Adam is passionate about investing his future in the future of students who will become the next innovators in the marketplace, champions of free enterprise, inspiring educators, shapers of culture, and statesmen and stateswomen in government.

Joseph Backholm is Senior Fellow for Biblical Worldview and Strategic Engagement at Family Research Council. He combines extensive legal, political, and policy experience with a love for the way biblical truth cultivates human flourishing.