Program Highlight: Macomb County 4-H Youth Mentor Program

The Macomb County 4-H Youth Mentor Program started in 1991 and serves youth age 10-16 who are referred by the Juvenile Court.  Volunteer mentors are recruited, trained, and screened prior to being matched.  Once they are matched, they spend at least one hour a week for one year working with their youth.  Mentors provide positive role modeling, support, and guidance to their youth by participating in educational and recreational activities together.  Monthly Life Skill Trainings are provided for the mentors and youth so that they can come together as a group and have fun while learning a new skill.  

For more information about the Macomb County 4-H Youth Mentor Program, visit their website at:

http://www.macombcountymi.gov/msuextension/Youth_Mentor.htm

Looking for New Training Materials?

We are looking for mentoring programs that are willing to

• Building the Mentoring Relationship
• Child and Youth Development
• Communication Skills
• Cultural Competency
• Setting Boundaries 

In mentoring, mentors try to promote positive youth development in their mentees.  Positive youth development focuses on the 5 C's: Competence, Confidence, Connection, Character, and Compassion.  Developing these qualities is important for youth to become healthy and successful adults.  

Competence refers to a positive view of one's skills and abilities.  Confidence involves an internal sense of overall positive self-worth, identity and belief in the future.  Connection is attributed to positive bonds with people and institutions, including family, friends, school, and community.  Character incorporates a recognition of societal and cultural rules and a sense of responsibility and accountability for one's actions and values.  Compassion exemplifies a sense of sympathy and empathy for others that leads to a desire to contribute.  It is said that when a person possesses the 5 C's it leads to the development of a sixth C- Contribution.  Contribution involves giving back to the community and others. 

But how can you develop these assets in your mentee?  The U.S. Department of Education produced a handout to help give you some ideas.  As you read the handout, you may learn that you are already implementing many of the suggestions and ideas without knowing that you are contributing to the development of your mentee in these areas.

To learn more and to view the handout, visit http://educationnorthwest.org/webfm_send/286

If you would like an activity that can be used to teach mentors about the 5 C's, contact Jillian Tremonti and ask about "Unbreakable". This is one of the activities available to pilot from the Michigan 4-H Mentor Training Curriculum.