MCSC logo

ANSWERING THE CALL TO SERVE 
How mentoring is making a difference for Michigan youth.

January 2012 
      
In This Issue
Michigan Mentoring Month
MMCCC: An AmeriCorps Service Story
Mentoring Day at the Capitol
Lloyd Carr MVP Awards
 
 
Join Our Mailing List 
HELPING TOMORROW'S FUTURE TODAY

In December, Governor Snyder delivered a special talent message to the Michigan legislature. A key component of this message was mentoring and the valuable impact that the guidance of a caring adult can have. The Michigan Community Service Commission has long known that mentoring changes lives and has created several initiatives, including Mentor Michigan, to help advance the mentoring movement. Want to know how an hour a week can make the difference of lifetime? Read on in our inaugral edition of "Answering the Call to Serve."

 Top 

Governor Snyder Proclaims January Michigan Mentoring Month  

 2012 MMM

Across the state, nearly 18,000 caring adultsprovide guidance and support as mentors to more than 23,000 young people in need. By offering a listening ear, a helping hand, and a friendship they can rely on, these mentors are changing lives an hour at time.  

 

This important impact was recognized by Governor Rick Snyder when he proclaimed January to be Michigan Mentoring Month. The declaration made January a month of celebration for many mentoring organizations throughout Michigan, who use the event as a way to generate additional interest in and support for mentoring.    

      

Back to top  


MMAmeriCorps logoCCC AmeriCorps Program Supports Thousands of Mentoring Matches

For the second year in a row, a unique Michigan's AmeriCorps program is helping mentoring organizations from throughout the state to increase their capacity and support mentor/mentee matches. The Mentor Michigan College Coaching Corps (MMCCC) has placed 45 AmeriCorps members statewide to help enhance youth mentoring programs by providing mentor recruitment, training, support and evaluation. By increasing each organizations capacity, each MMCCC member assists with more than 50 mentoring matches for a total impact of more than 2,000 young people matched with mentors.

Like many AmeriCorps members, MMCCC members serve full-time with an organization for an entire year. In return for their service, members receive a small living stipend and an educational award. However, for members like Alecia Rapp, the true reward is getting to impact lives every day.

"I decided that I would love the chance to mentor a young person and started the process. I was then offered the position as the AmeriCorps member and Mentor Coordinator instead," explained Alecia. "I could not pass up this opportunity! Instead of helping one youth I was given the opportunity to help so many more." 

Alecia has been serving with the Alecia RappHOPE Mentoring Program in Midland/Isabella County since September of 2011. Her program works with youth in foster care and Alecia has been touched by the courage of one young 13 year old in particular. "The young lady was new to our program and had not been in the foster care system very long. She was unsure if she wanted a mentor but ultimately decided she would."

Since beginning their mentoring relationship, the mentee has exhibited increased confidence and positive attitude. She is so happy now and her mentor feels the same way. The young lady recently told Alecia "
"I believe that everyone should have a dream and should pursue it without letting their surroundings stop them. You cannot pick your parents but you CAN pick what you want your future to be."  
 

 

Back to top  


Mentoring Day at the Capitol


Mentoring Day at the Capitol Celebration

   

On Friday, January 20, 2012, mentoring programs from across Michigan came together for a special mentoring celebration hosted by Mentor Michigan at the state Capitol. Joining in the Mentoring Day at the Capitol celebration were special guests, Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley and his wife, Julie Calley, who expressed their sincere interest in and dedication to the Michigan mentoring movement.

 

"It's important to provide meaningful opportunities to build relationships and retain future generations," said Lieutenant Governor Calley. "Mentoring is one way to provide those relationships. Not only will you be helping another person to reach their goals and dreams, but you are helping build a stronger Michigan."

 

Also taking the stage with the Lieutenant Governor and his wife at the Mentoring Day at the Capitol event were two key leaders in the mentoring field: Tony Campbell, Co-Chair of the Mentor Michigan Leadership Council and Vice President for Community Investments at the Heart of West Michigan United Way; and Dara Munson, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit. In addition, attendees heard the many benefits of mentoring first-hand from two young mentees who shared their mentoring experience.

 

Back to top 


Lloyd Carr
2012 Lloyd Carr MVP Mentoring Awards Honor Youth in Mentoring Relationships

To recognize youth who have made significant positive change as a result of a mentoring relationship, former University of Michigan head football coach Lloyd Carr will present the third annual Lloyd Carr MVP Mentoring Awards. The awards are to four Michigan youths who best exemplify the extraordinary benefits of mentoring.

This year's honoree's include: Willie "Tre" Brooks of Grand Rapids; Gabriela Diaz of Holland; Kyle Gundlach of Waterford; and Brandon Youngblood of Warren. To be eligible for the awards, both the youth mentee and their mentor had to write an essay about their mentoring relationship. It is through these essays that the true benefits of mentoring can be illustrated:

"There are no words to explain the change in my thinking. I'm a better person with a future to look forward to. I'm glad I have my mentor's support and sincere friendship."

"I thank him for all the years he has been there for me and for the problems he has helped me to solve. He has been a remarkable and wonderful role model for me. I was one lucky boy to be matched with Bob."

 

"This relationship has given him the confidence to be himself because it tells him that despite all the unfortunate events he's had in his life, he will always be worth someone else's time."

 

"The impact he has made on my life is more than I ever expected. I just know that without taking the opportunity of getting him as my mentor, my life may have been entirely different."


The award winners will be honored at a celebration hosted by Coach Carr on January 30, 2012.

 
Back to top  
Have we inspired you to get involved? Many mentoring programs in Michigan are in need of additional mentors. If you can give an hour a week to a child in need of a caring adult, visit www.mentormichigan.org  to find a directory of mentoring programs in your area.
 
Back to top
About the MCSC
The Michigan Community Service Commissionbuilds a culture of service by providing vision and resources to strengthen communities through volunteerism. In 2011-2012, the MCSC is granting nearly $8 million in federal funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities. The MCSC is funding 24 AmeriCorps programs, 20 Learn and Serve programs, and seven Volunteer Michigan grantees. The Governor's Service Awards and Mentor Michigan are also premier programs of the MCSC.