Sioux Falls Mayor Honored for Mentoring Efforts

Paul TenHaken receives national award from MENTOR for his work connecting residents to local students and supporting those reentering the community.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken has been named the State & Local Public Service honoree for the 2026 Excellence in Mentoring awards by MENTOR, a national nonprofit organization that champions youth mentoring. MENTOR cited TenHaken's influence in the mentoring field, noting his direct and indirect impact on young people through initiatives like the Sioux 52 Mentoring program and the Mayor's Youth Council.

Why it matters

Mentoring programs have been shown to have a positive impact on youth development, academic achievement, and successful reintegration into the community for those leaving incarceration. TenHaken's efforts to encourage public, private, and nonprofit partners to support mentoring in Sioux Falls reflects the city's commitment to investing in its young people and providing pathways to success.

The details

During his time as mayor, TenHaken has called on residents, businesses, faith communities, and nonprofits to step forward as mentors. Through the creation of the Sioux 52 Mentoring Initiative, he has worked to make Sioux Falls a 'City of Mentors,' resulting in hundreds of new mentors and dozens of programs working collaboratively. In addition to mentoring an elementary school student each week, TenHaken launched the Mayor's Youth Council in 2021 to give high school students a voice in city government.

  • TenHaken was honored at the National Mentoring Summit on February 5, 2026.
  • The Mayor's Youth Council was launched in 2021.

The players

Paul TenHaken

The mayor of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, who has been recognized for his dedication to mentoring youth and leading initiatives that connect residents to local students and support those reentering the community.

MENTOR

A national nonprofit organization that champions youth mentoring and recognized TenHaken as the State & Local Public Service honoree for the 2026 Excellence in Mentoring awards.

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What’s next

For a list of organizations seeking volunteers or for more information, call the Helpline Center at 211 or visit helplinecenter.org/volunteer-connections/sioux52.

The takeaway

TenHaken's efforts to promote mentoring in Sioux Falls reflect the city's commitment to investing in its young people and providing pathways to success, particularly for those transitioning from incarceration. His work has inspired public, private, and nonprofit partners to collaborate and make a positive impact on the lives of local youth.