About the MENTOR Logo

As told by Homer in his epic poem, The Odyssey, Odysseus asked his trusted friend, Mentor, to watch over his household and guide the development of his son, Telemachus, while Odysseus embarked on his 20-year journey. Throughout Telemachus' life, Mentor advised him and served as his instructor and role model. Mentor eventually prepared Telemachus for his own journey into the world, providing encouragement and offering to accompany him. The ancient Greeks knew the value of a caring adult in a child's life.

In the Greek alphabet, the omega is the 24th letter. The two omegas in the Washington State Mentors (WSM) logo offer a visual representation of the mentoring concept. The larger of the two omegas represents the caring adult mentor; the smaller omega represents the child eager to fulfill his or her potential. Placement of the two omegas is significant: the adult mentor (the larger omega) stands in the background, offering encouragement and support and serving as a role model to the child mentee (the smaller omega).

The dual omegas can also be interpreted as a symbol of the lasting impact a mentor can have on a mentee throughout his or her life. Upon reaching adulthood, the former mentee can better appreciate the profound impact the mentor has had - and resolve to do the same for another child. Thus, the continuum of caring is passed from generation to generation.

Interpreted another way, the omegas represent the strong relationship between MENTOR and the network of State and Local Mentoring Partnerships. Working together, MENTOR and the partnerships amplify mentoring's voice and leverage the resources available to expand mentoring efforts throughout the country.

The Double Omega Icon

Over the past decade, mentoring has gained widespread support as a successful strategy for positive youth development. During that same time, the number of mentoring programs and the types of mentoring they offer have grown exponentially. Yet all share a common goal: to help young people succeed in life. To reflect that unity of purpose and draw more attention to the power of mentoring, the movement needed a common symbol. The large omega wrapping around a smaller omega represents the mentoring relationship between a caring adult and a child seeking to unlock and fulfill his or her potential.

In 2002, the double omega icon was born. Designed by MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership’s board member George Fertitta and his firm, Margeotes׀Fertitta, the icon is a simple yet powerful mark that embodies the spirit of the mentoring movement and captures the essence of the mentoring experience in all its varied forms. Washington State Mentors is one of 22 state partnerships that MENTOR supports. State Mentoring Partnerships serve a unique role as a clearinghouse for information and resources, providing the critical link between MENTOR's national efforts and the local organizations that foster quality mentoring relationships.

Show your support for bringing more quality mentoring to America's young people. Double Omega Pins are now available. Click here to order.