2008 Events --> January 26, 2008

Mentoring partnership strikes happy chord at dinner event

Detroit – By any measure, Wayne County’s first mentoring recognition event was deemed successful.

But for the participants of the county’s World of Mentoring and recognition of National Mentoring Month, the event was far more meaningful than simple praise. It was an opportunity for expression and gratitude. Wayne County and its Michigan State University/Extension office have partnered in program that matches adult mentors and child (mentees), bringing together the wisdom of aging and excitement of youth. More than a hundred adults and children have participated in the program since its launch in 2006.

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano has long advocated on behalf of children, promoting health, literacy, justice, nourishment, Internet awareness and other activities that benefit youngsters and families. Dozens of programs have evolved under his leadership, first as sheriff, and more recently as county executive. He said: “The county, the state and federal programs can never do enough to assist families. But with the resources we do have, we will place children at the top of the priority list.”

One youngster honored at the Jan. 26 event penned a poem to express how grateful she is to a woman who has mentored her in the last year:

It was a hot day in August
I was drinking my soda
When my mentor drove up in a
Black Toyota.
           
I wondered how she would look

I could not breathe

She wasn ’t a monster or a witch
So I was relieved
           
I sat in the car all was going as planned

She said Hi! My name is Chala
As she shook my hand

That Black Toyota was our key to the city

We went and got our nails done so
We could look pretty.

I never knew a stranger could be so cool         

She works, she was fun and she goes to school

Being a mentor is a golden opportunity
           
You can make children happy while
Helping the community
           
All the good things she ’s done I can remember

Like the outfit she brought me
I wore in December

The Mentoring program is a great experience, I hope
That more children can enjoy
Some people I want to thank is Kea, Mia, and Chala. I couldn ’t ask for anything more!

The Wayne County/MSU mentoring recognition event, held at the International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit, featured readings, dancing, music and other expressions of joy and outreach. Television/radio personality Charles Pugh was guest host, the keynote Sue Hamilton Smith, Wayne County director for the Department of Children and Family Services. MSU/Extension statewide Director Dr. Thomas Coon offered congratulations, and Richard Wooten, the county’s MSU/Extension director, offered closing remarks. Mentoring educator Kea Boyd was also an essential ingredient to the program’s success.

Many of the youngsters at the recognition event read from writings chosen from an essay contest, and everyone was recognized for their efforts and participation.

The following were honored for their participation in the World of Mentoring project:

Alisha (Mentor) & Olivia (Mentee)

She is there to make me laugh
She is the best mentor I will ever have
God picked her out of all the rest…
Because He knew I’d like her the best

She’s sweet, she’s kind, and also pretty
She lived in Flint, but moved to Detroit city
She’s always there to help me when times are bad
And she is a part of the good memories we had

But now that we are friends, I plan to continue to the very end!!

Diane (Mentor) & Addie (Mentee)

“My mentor is special to me because she is like a sister to me and a daughter to my grandma. Whenever we go out somewhere, we always have a good time. We have already signed to keep going for another year. We also teach each other a lot about things we don’t know. She also loves to eat and my grandmother loves to feed her anything she fixes. I love her very much and she means a lot to me, her name is Diane C. All I have to say is keep doing what you are doing so my grandma and me can keep loving you!”

Rasheidah (Mentor) & Ardell (Mentee)

“I would like to say my mentor is the best, she takes me everywhere. She shows me that she cares about me and she loves me, because she helps me to be a better person. She takes me to school because she wants me to be a better person. I love Ms. F.”

Lorraine (Mentor) & Tynetta (Mentee)

“Being part of the mentoring program has been a great experience. They teamed me up with a great mentor. We explored new things and went places that I never thought of going. This is an experience, I would like to share with everyone. Let me start from the beginning. One day my mom told me that she was going to put me in this mentoring program. At first, I wanted to be in the program, but I wondered if I would meet somebody with a nice personality. In my mind, I thought, I would be just fine if my mentor has a nice personality. When I met my mentor she looked very sweet and appeared to be a kind person, which she is. My mentor is very dependable, when she says she is going to pick me up – she is coming. She is also trustworthy. I can trust her taking me anywhere. If somebody mess with me, I know she would protect me! She is so fun because the days she picks me up we go to some very fun places. She is very very well-educated she knows stuff that I don’t know just yet! All that stuff really shows me she cares. Having a mentor is a blessing because it gives me motivation to do new and challenging things. I originally wanted a mentor just to get out of the house. I ended up gaining a new friend learning new things and expanding my normal day! I would recommend this program for generations to come. And hopefully one day, I will become a mentor to someone else.“

Connie (Mentor) & Kieara (Mentee)

“Connie means a lot to me and we have a lot of fun together. Connie helps me excel in school by helping me turn average grades into excellent grades. I have seen a variety of places, and experienced different foods with Connie. Like the big sister I never had, Connie is fun and full of energy. I always have a better day with Connie and am thankful for our mentorship.”

Sabrina (Mentor) & Brianna (Mentee)

“To me, my mentor is someone I can look up to as a friend, or as a role model. My mentor is more that just a friend, she’s like my second mom. By this I mean, if I need something, she will get it for me, if she can. My mentor is like a light that guides me through darkness. Whenever, I don’t know which way to go she shows me the way.

Event Photos (Click to enlarge)