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Save the Date: 4-H Mentoring Weekend 3 is Coming! |
 Michigan 4-H Youth Mentoring is happy to announce that this year's 4-H Mentoring Weekend will be taking place July 16 - 18, 2010, at the Kettunen Center in Tustin, MI. In its third year, 4-H Mentoring Weekend offers mentoring matches from around the state an incredible opportunity to strengthen their relationship and create lasting memories together. With 140 participants over the past two years, 4-H Mentoring Weekend 3 is sure to be the highlight of the summer for your matches! This is a 4-H sponsored event, but the event is open to matches from all mentoring programs who meet our volunteer screening requirements.
For a registration fee of $30 per person, youth and their mentors will have three days, two nights lodging at the wonderful Kettunen Center, all meals included, access to their choice of workshops, and a free 4-H Mentoring Weekend tee shirt! In the past, workshops have included Explosion Scrapbooking, Jell-O Wars, Canoeing, Duct Tape Fun, Capture the Flag, and many more! This year's event will also give participants the opportunity to experience Kettunen Center's new rock climbing wall. While at 4-H Mentoring Weekend, mentors will be given the chance to develop skills and network during two workshops dedicated solely to mentor training and support. Matches will get to experience activities from the new 4-H Guided Adventures curriculum- activities that are designed to get you outside! For the first time, this weekend will also include 4-H health and fitness activity options including a cooking class. Youth and mentors will get the chance to meet other mentees from around the state and explore positive recreational activities.
Look for an update in early June from Michigan 4-H Youth Mentoring to get all the details on registration and the registration packet. Stay current on the latest 4-H Mentoring Weekend happenings by checking out our Facebook page. If you have questions about 4-H Mentoring Weekend 3, please contact Jillian Tremonti by email at tremont5@msu.edu or call 517-353-9418. Jill is also happy to share a Save the Date flyer and written announcement that can be used in newsletters and other communication with matches. |
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Harry Leeuw Named a Finalist for Mentor of the Year |  Harry Leeuw, a mentor with the Ottawa County Journey 4-H Youth Mentoring program, is one of five finalists selected for the Governor's Service Award in the Mentor of the Year category. Harry has mentored two different youth in his four years as a Journey 4-H Mentor. Journey 4-H Youth Mentoring is a one-on-one mentoring program that's serves court-involved youth of Ottawa County, or those youth who are identified as being high-risk for becoming court-involved. Harry was looking for a mentoring program that gave him the opportunity to work with kids who needed that extra encouragement to do their best and stay out of the court system.
In June of 2006, Harry was matched with his first mentee Jorge. Jorge, living in an area notorious for young court-involvement as well as gang-involvement, was targeted by the Journey 4-H program as an excellent candidate for mentoring. At the young age of 9, Jorge had already been approached for membership by a number of the high-profile gang members active within his neighborhood. Jorge was also struggling academically, and his mother was worried about his future.
Throughout their mentoring relationship, Harry was able to encourage and support Jorge academically and there was a significant improvement in Jorge's grades. Also, Harry was able to gently steer Jorge away from gang-involvement by talking about other more promising options for his future. Harry and Jorge enjoyed attending sporting events, going hiking, and going on visits to the library during their weekly get-togethers. They were also active in program sponsored events such as laser tag, bowling, fishing and other outdoor activities.
At the end of their one-year commitment, Harry and Jorge decided that while they really liked hanging out, they also really liked meeting new people. The match collectively decided that while their mentoring relationship through Journey 4-H Youth Mentoring would close, they would still say hello if they saw each other and that they would still be as Jorge put it, "Good Buds!" Jorge and Harry were both excited about the possibility of a new match, and they were both re-matched quickly. Jorge continues to thrive with his new mentor, and has been able to avoid court and gang involvement.
Harry, also ready to commit to another year to mentoring, was matched with David. David was at the time a 15-year-old court-involved youth with an extensive history of offenses. He was attending the Juvenile Justice Institute (JJI), a school provided by the court system for those youth who are not able to return to their original school due to their court-involvement. David was struggling academically and behaviorally at home. David was prone to unpredictable mood-swings and suffered from anxiety in social settings with his peers. With his history of repeat offences, the court system and David's grandparents who were raising him were generally concerned for the future and well-being of David. His surveillance officer referred him to the Journey 4-H Mentoring program. David was excited about being matched with a mentor, saying that he looked forward to getting to know someone older that he could have fun with. David began his mentoring relationship with Harry a short while later.
Harry and David have enjoyed many different types of activities since their match began in 2007. They enjoy hiking together, bowling, watching and playing sports, and attending program-sponsored activities like fishing, fall hayrides and laser tag. Just like in his match before, Harry continues to be a consistent mentor and meets with David weekly. David identified goals of becoming more active and conscious of living healthily, and Harry was more than willing to help David achieve these goals. The match takes part in a number of physically active activities.
With Harry's support and guidance, David was able to return to his traditional high school and now with his academics improved he is on track for graduation this spring. Since being matched in 2007, David has not reentered or reoffended in the court system. He is now more outgoing at program sponsored activities and doesn't have as many unpredictable mood swings. David shared the following, which was included in Harry's nomination, "Harry has been a real inspiration for me to do better, because I have been looking forward to doing things with him every week. During the summer we would do a lot of things outside, for example we would go to the beach, we would also go fishing in his pond sometimes depending on the weather. He would let me change the oil on his vehicle and he would also let me play his Wii. Also, when the weather is warm we would go out on his boat on Lake Michigan. Harry has been a good inspiration because he has taught me very good public & people skills. He has also showed me the kinds of things you could get when you work and you save your money. Harry also would bring me to the movies every once and awhile. There are so many things that Harry has done for me that words can't describe what I'm thinking.
Sincerely,
David"
Michigan 4-H congratulates Harry on this well deserved honor. Harry will attend a reception with Governor Granholm, First Gentleman Mulhern, and other finalists on June 24th. Following the reception, he will attend an awards ceremony to honor finalists and announce winners. |
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Upcoming Professional Development Workshops |  MSU Extension is pleased to provide the following professional development opportunities.These workshops have been approved by Michigan State University Department of Family & Child Ecology for .5 CEU credits. For those who choose to earn CEUs, there is an additional $20 administration fee. These skill building workshops are designed to assist youth mentoring professionals, AmeriCorps members and volunteer administrators in efforts to meet the Michigan Quality Program Standards for Youth Mentoring. Sessions are designed from the youth mentoring perspective, however; all interested participants are welcome.
Train the Trainer 2: New Training Activities
July 7, 2010 YouthVille, Detroit
July 26, 2010 Transfiguration Episcopal Church, Indian River This interactive workshop is designed for experienced trainers and individuals who have already attended Train the Trainer: Mentor
Training. In this session, we will introduce new mentor training curriculum and activities that can be used to enhance your current training.
Matching, Monitoring, and Closing Mentor Matches
July 9, 2010 Christian Life Center, Kalamazoo In this interactive session, participants will learn strategies for making and monitoring mentee-mentor matches, examine ways to support and recognize matches, and learn the importance of using a formal match closure procedure and ways this procedure can be structured.
Crossing the Gap: Communicating Across Generations
July 27, 2010 Transfiguration Episcopal Church, Indian River
This interactive workshop will begin with activities and discussion to better understand the different perspectives of various generations and how these differences impact work style, communication, goals, and outlooks. In the afternoon, we will move into a train-the-trainer format and share resources and activities that can be used to share this information with your volunteers, participants or staff members.
Increasing Cultural Competency in Mentoring Relationships: August 17, 2010 Wayne County MSU Extension
Mentoring relationships often bring together individuals with diverse cultures and backgrounds. It is important to be aware of one's own values and beliefs when entering into a relationship with a young person whose experiences may color his or her world differently in order to move forward with a friendship based on mutual respect. This interactive workshop will begin with activities and discussion related to stereotypes, poverty, and cultural competency. In the afternoon, we will move into a train-the-trainer format and share resources and curriculum that can be used when training volunteers, participants or staff members.
We are also pleased to offer the following webinars: Intro to Social Networking Webinar
June 2, 2010 2 pm Does social networking intimidate you? If so, this webinar is for you! We will review the basic principles of social networking, mainly using the widely popular website Facebook as a frame of reference. You will learn social networking language, use, how to utilize privacy settings, and explore the potential impact you can make through this medium.
Advanced Social Networking Jully 22, 2010 10 am Are you well versed and comfortable using social networks? This session is designed for those who have mastered the basics. We will demonstrate how to best utilize social networking for your program and explore some features that are available. You will explore a number of social networking websites including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and sites for blogging. Participants will receive information to begin creating your own social networking plan. Tips and Tools for Mentoring Program Policy and Procedures
August 25, 2010 2 pm Does your program have an updated policy and procedure manual? If not, then this webinar is for you! A clear and comprehensive policy and procedure manual helps guide all components of a mentoring program. Prior to this session, participants will be provided with a link to download the Generic Mentoring Program Policy and Procedure Manual template. This helpful document from the National Mentoring Center provides a guide for policy development. The webinar will walk participants through the template and answer questions related to specific policy questions. This session is ideal for newer programs and new staff or AmeriCorps members who are responsible for documenting program policy and procedures. Click here to register for any of these workshops or to learn more. |
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