Washtenaw Youth Mentoring CoalitionWelcome to the Washtenaw Youth Mentoring Coalition
Volunteer as a mentor
Connect with a mentor
What is a Mentor?
What is Washtenaw Youth Mentoring Coalition
Benefits if Mentoring with the Washtenaw Youth Mentoring Coalition
Washtenaw County Community Events
WYMC Links
Mentoring Success Stories

“Sally,” a college student with severe cerebral palsy who communicates through a computer and uses a power wheelchair, was considering dropping out of college because the communication barrier frustrated her efforts in class. Her mentor, “Alice,” who also has CP and who recently graduated from Eastern Michigan University, taught Sally about the studying techniques she used and expressed sympathy for her frustration. As a result, Sally is still in school, well on her way to earning a bachelor’s degree that will enable her to earn an income and live independently.

Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living
Jen Chapin-Smith x23 jchapin@aacil.org
Anna Dusbiber x17 adusbiber@aacil.org
3941 Research Park Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
734-971-0277
www.aacil.org
Program Description:
AACIL matches youth with disabilities ages 14-21 with older adults with the same disability.   Mentors teach students the life skills necessary to transition from school and teenage-years to adulthood. (This is also WYMC’s lead organization and main office).

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County
Jennifer Spitler bbbswashtenaw@yahoo.com 
2890 Carpenter Road, Suite 1400 
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108
(734) 975-0933
Program Description:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County provides adult role models for child in need of extra support and encouragement. They serve youth ages six through 13 through one-on-one mentoring programs that take place in a school or community-based setting. There are several programs available to meet a volunteer's needs, availability, and commitment level. Volunteer mentors are expected to make a one year commitment, which involves four to six hours per month during morning, afternoon, evening, or weekend hours.  BBBS matches children with positive role models who offer them guidance and support in growing socially, emotionally and academically.

Catholic Social Services (American Grandparents/Mentorship Project and Teen LINK)
5361 McAuley Drive 
Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197
(734) 971-9781 or (734) 712-3625 ph
734-971-2730 fx
Program Description:
The American Grandparents Program is a mentoring program developed by the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Washtenaw County in collaboration with The International Center at University of Michigan. RSVP matches volunteers with international students and scholars to help the students become acclimated to their new environment. Every semester, the program has approximately 200-250 who benefit from the friendship and wisdom of an American Grandparent. RSVP volunteers provide leadership in the American Grandparents Program and a specialized website makes it easy for foreign students to get involved. The program encourages interaction and friendship outside the University environment, to deepen student understanding of United States culture, to increase community knowledge of diverse cultures, and to provide a forum for self-expression. Mentors volunteer two to four hours each month during weekend hours and are expected to make a one year commitment.  www.csswashtenaw.org

Community Support and Treatment Services of Washtenaw County
Ann Bauer bauera@ewashtenaw.org
2941 Ellsworth Rd
Ypsilanti, MI 481987 

(734) 544-6732 fx
(734) 544-3000 ph;  734-971-9605 (direct line)

www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/community_mental_health/

Corner Health Center/CSTS Youth and Family Services
Robert A. Kesselring, MA, LLPC, Foster Care Resource Manager 
kesselringr@ewashtenaw.org
47 North Huron Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 484-3600 x251 ph
(734) 484-3100 fx
http://www.cornerhealth.org      
Program Description:
The Corner Health Center provides case management for youth in or aging out of foster care in order to help the youth transition into independent living.  CHC provides links to community services, including mentorship programs and youth leadership organizations.

Eastern Michigan University
Peggy Harless, Asst. Director for Community Service and Leadership
VISION Office
EMU Student Center
Ypsilanti, MI  48197
peggy.harless@emich.edu
(734) 487-3045 ph
(734) 480-1927 fx

Education Project for Homeless Youth
Peri Stone-Palmquist, MSW, MPP, EPHY coordinator, pstone@wash.k12.mi.us
1819 S. Wagner, PO Box 1406
Ann Arbor, MI 48106
(734) 994-8100, x1518 ph
(734) 994-2203 fx   
http://comnet.org/ephy_washtenaw/
Program Description:
EPHY is a project of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District that works to ensure students experiencing homelessness enroll, regularly attend and succeed in school. We coordinate and in some cases help fund transportation to and from school, provide donated school supplies and clothes, provide referrals, and work to connect students with the resources they need to be successful, including tutors.  EPHY also serves youth ageing out of foster care who want to earn a high school diploma or GED.

Hikone Community Center
Community Action Network

Aaron Pressel, director, hikonedirector@gmail.com
PO Box 130076
Ann Arbor, MI 48113
(734) 973-1183
www.hvcn.org/info/can/
Program Description:
Hikone is a public housing facility that provides its youth residents with as many opportunities as possible.

The Judson Center, Washtenaw County Regional Office 
Jennifer Kiehl jennifer_kiehl@judsoncenter.org
4925 Packard Rd, Suite 200
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
(734) 528-1692 x110 ph 
(734) 528-1695 fx 
http://www.judsoncenter.org/      
Program Description:
The Judson Center provides foster care and related services for youth.

Manchester Community Resource Center
Chris Kanta, manchestercrc@sbcglobal.net
410 City Rd, PO Box 433 
Manchester, MI 48158
(734) 428-7722 ph
http://www.manchestercrc.org
Program Description:
The Community Resource Center is a broad-based organization that works to strengthen the community through its volunteers and resources.  Some of the services provided are information and referral, a daily food pantry, senior meals, and volunteer promotion and recognition.  As a Volunteer Center of Michigan and a Points of Light Foundation affiliate, the CRC works to assist nonprofits and volunteers in connecting to mentoring opportunities.

Mentor Michigan-AmeriCorps
Amber Reiss or Amanda Schafer
1048 Pierpont #4, Lansing, MI  48913
(517) 241-3493 or (517) 492-2440 ph
reissa@michigan.gov or aschafer@mnaonline.org
www.mentormichigan.org  

Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MI Dept. of Labor and Economic Growth)
3810 Packard Rd, Suite 170
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
(734) 677-1125 main ph
(734) 677-1139 direct ph
(734) 677-1206 TTY
Program Description:
MRS uses innovative tools and techniques to promote informed choice and successful employment outcomes for people who have significant disabilities.  www.michigan.gov/mdcd/0,1607,7-122-25392---,00.html

The Neutral Zone
John Weiss, Executive Director
Lori Roddy, Program Director lori@neutral-zone.org  
(734) 214-9995 ph
(734) 214-9997 fax
310 E. Washington
Ann Arbor, MI  48104

Peace Lutheran Church 
Brent Courson BrentCourson@chartermi.net   
8260 Jackson Rd   
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
(734) 424-0899 ph 
www.peaceaa.net  

Prison Creative Arts Project
Mary Heinen, Linkage and Portfolio Project Coordinator, mheinen@umich.edu  
The University of Michigan   
3187 Angell Hall 
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
(734) 647-6771 ph 
(734) 763-3128 fx
www.prisonarts.org
Program Description:
The Prison Creative Arts Project's mission is to collaborate with incarcerated adults, incarcerated youth, urbal youth and the formerly incarcerated to strengthen our community through creative expression.  PCAP is a student/faculty/community organization.  Members join primarily through taking a course that trains students to facilitiate workshos in the arts in state prisons, juvenile facilities and Detroit high schools.  Others join through a disciplined training program.  We work with respect for institution rules and regulations and maintain close links with facility staff to whom we are responsible.  Students in the courses and PCAP members meet on a weekly basis to share, discuss and support each other's work.

Michigan Reach Out
Jeannine LaSovage, (734) 747-9280, lasovage@ameritech.net     
5575 West Liberty
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103
(734) 475-5563 fx
www.reachoutmichigan.org  
Program Description:
Reach Out trains, matches, and supports college students and community members as academic mentors for elementary, middle, and high school students. They also recruit, train, and support university faculty, business people, and community members as career mentors and job shadow/workplace tour providers. Mentors typically stay with their child for more than one year and establish relationships with their child's teachers, school counselors, social workers, and parents or guardians. Mentors and children enjoy family outings and field trips every semester and often do community service projects together. Volunteers are expected to make a one year commitment, which involves two hour per week during afternoon, evening, or weekend hours.

SMART By Faith
Carolyn Hart, director, smartbyf@smartbyfaith.org    
(734) 929-2193 ph  
3404 Chelsea Circle  
Ann Arbor, MI  48108 
Program Description:
SMART (Successfully Mentoring At Risk Teens) By Faith is a collaboration of churches and faith-based community organizations from Washtenaw and Wayne Counties to ensure that each child in the community has a positive mentoring experience.  SMART By Faith provides successful mentoring experiences for at-risk youth through faith and community leadership.  Programs include one-on-one mentoring and group mentoring by individuals, parents, and caretakers.  It provides youth with support, guidance, empowerment, career exploration, and behavior modeling to enable them to be successful. 

Washtenaw County Trial Court CASA
Ava Adler
2270 Platt Rd
Ann Arbor, MI  48104
(734) 222-3734
adlera@ewashtenaw.org
www.casawashtenaw.org  
Program Description:
The Washtenaw County Trial Court CASA program provides well-screened and well-trained volunteers to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children involved in juvenile court proceedings.  Volunteers act as the “eyes and ears” of the court for one child or sibling group.  Volunteers attend court hearings and interview and collaborate with attorneys, case managers, counselors, school personnel, foster parents and biological parents. They also meet with their child or children on a bi-weekly basis and report to the court on how well the children’s needs are being met.  They play an integral part in permanency planning for their assigned family.  Thirty to 40 hours of training is required, plus an 18-month commitment to the program.

Washtenaw County Children’s Services Department
Paula Baker, Business Manager bakerp@ewashtenaw.org  x4367
Kevin Mitchell, mitchellk@ewashtenaw.org, (734) 973-4364
(734) 973-4343 ph;  (734) 973-4484 fx
4125 Washtenaw Ave
Ann Arbor, MI 48108-1003
www.ewashtenaw.org  

Washtenaw County Dept. of Human Services
Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative/Changing Today for the Youth of Tomorrow
Renee Smith, Services Program Manager, Smithr25@michigan.gov
Special Initiatives/Licensing Supervisor, MYOI Coordinator
(734) 481-2034 ph
Susan Bunton, buntons@michigan.gov
State of Michigan-Washtenaw
22 Center Street
Ypsilanti, MI  48198 
(734) 481-2059 fx  
Program Description:
The MYOI (locally known as CTYT-Changing Today for the Youth of Tomorrow) is an incentive-based initiative for youth ages 14-23 who have or will be aging out of the foster care system.  Participants must have been a temporary or permanent state ward to be involved in this initiative.  The initiative is focused on improving the outcomes of youth in six areas: education, employment, physical/mental health, transportation, and social and community engagement.

Washtenaw County Trial Court --Building Restorative Communities
Deborah Shaw, Special Projects Manager
2270 Platt Rd
Ann Arbor, MI  48104
(734) 222-6923
shawd@ewashtenaw.org  
Program Description:
The mission of the Washtenaw County Building Restorative Communities Initiative (BRC) is to enhance the quality of life for all in Washtenaw County through community partnerships that provide youth opportunities, skills, hope and confidence to reach a brighter future.  The BRC is a collaborative effort to build a sustainable, effective, coordinated continuum of juvenile justice and prevention services.  Through system change and service activities, the BRC seeks to reduce the following priority risk factors for youth in our community:  Alienation and Rebelliousness; Economic Deprivation; Family Conflict and Family Management Problems; Academic Failure beginning in Late Elementary School; and Lack of Commitment to School. 

Washtenaw Intermediate School District
John Rose, Transition Services
jrose@wash.k12.mi.us
(734) 994-8100 x1544
1819 S. Wagner Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48106
(734) 487-6743 ph
(734) 487-6744 fx
Program Description:
WISD offers school-based mentoring for students with disabilities in schools in Washtenaw County and provides help to local school districts supporting students in special education.

 

Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative (MPRI)
Ashley White, Volunteer and Mentor Coordinator ashley.mpri@gmail.com (734) 929-6509  
Mary King, Community Coordinator washtenawmpri@gmail.com (734) 327-9717
PO Box 7070
Ann Arbor, MI  48103
Program Description:
MPRI seeks caring community members, age 20 and older, to mentor returning citizens who are under the supervision of Ann Arbor Parole, for up to one year.  Mentors meet weekly with participants in the MPRI program for 90 days and less frequently thereafter.  Ongoing trainings and support are available for mentors.  MPRI's mission is to reduce crime by implementing a seamless plan of services and supervision developed with each offender--delivered through state and local collaboration--from the time of their entry to prison through their transition, reintegration and aftercare in the community.

The Business Side of Youth: The B. Side
Shamyle Maya Nesfield, Director, cl_snesfield@emich.edu  
Angelina Hamilton Broderick, Asst. Director, angelina.hamilton@emich.edu  
219 Rackham Hall, Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 487-6570 ph
(734) 487-8514 fx   
http://www.bsideofyouth.com  
Program Description:
The B. Side is a project to provide entrepreneurial education and enterprise development to youth ages 13-19.  This project is designed to engage youth who have never thought about starting a business as well as youth who may already be in business.  The B. Side offers a community-based education model that relies on youth-adult partnerships to provide workshops, trainings, internships/apprenticeships and mentoring.

Girls Group
Susan Schooner, sueinc41@aol.com  
2445 Newport Road
Ann Arbor, MI  48103
(734) 994-6627 ph   
Program Description:
Girls Group provides mentoring and other support for girls and young women in Washtenaw County.

Lifespan Resources, Inc.
Carol H Tice, President, chtice@aol.com 
1212 Roosevelt Ave
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 663-9891 ph
Program Description:
Uniting generations in education, service and research since 1979.

Michigan State University Extension Office
Julie Chapin, chapin@anr.msu.edu or chapin@msu.edu  
4H Youth Development, 160 Agriculture Hall
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
(517) 432-7608 ph
(517) 355-6748 fx

Ozone House
Michelle Jones, Crisis Line Coordinator, mjones@ozonehouse.org  
1705 Washtenaw Ave
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 662-2265 ph  
http://www.ozonehouser.org/
Program Description:
Ozone House provides safety, emergency shelter, transitional housing and a continuum of support for runaways, homeless and at-risk youth in Washtenaw County.

Student Advocacy Center
Heidi Vanderwerff, heidi@studentadvocacycenter.org  
1921 W Michigan Ave
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 482-0489 ph
http://www.studentadvocacycenter.org  
Program Description:
The Student Advocacy Center focuses on the educational experience of students to identify the successful practices and policies, as well as barriers to effective service.  Using a strength-based approach, the SAC works in partnership with families and schools to promote educational practices that result in success for students, as well as to challenge those exlusionary policies that may have a harmful impact on students and families.  Our advocates, who are not employees of the schools or the government, work to assure equal opportunity and excellent education for all children.   The SAC provides a full range of services: free individual case advocacy, technical assistance, and training for parents, students and professionals about children's educational entitlements and due process in Michigan.

Clean Teens
Justin Bishop, cleanteens@aol.com  
PO Box 980293
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 646-8426 ph
Program Description:
Clean Teens is a nonprofit substance abuse prevention organization providing youth, parents, schools and neighborhoods with comprehensive substance abuse prevention/intervention programs.  Since 2001, we have helped strengthen hundreds of families while working with others to promote safe and healthy neighborhoods.  The organization's mission is to delay, deter and/or eliminate adolescent alcohol, tobacco and other drug use/abuse and problematic behavior in the context of educational and intervention programming .  www.washtenawcountyprevention.com

Washtenaw Youth Development Initiative
John Weiss, Executive Director
washtenawyouth@hotmail.com
c/o The Neutral Zone, 310 E Washington, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 214-9995 ph
(734) 214-9997 fx
dkeith@wash.k12.mi.us  
Program Description:
WYDI is a youth-led alliance of organizations that serve local youth.

Ypsilanti Transition Program (WISD/EMU Transition Services)
Dawn Keith, Transition Services
dkeith@wash.k12.mi.us
Eastern Michigan University, Hoyt Hall, Ypsilanti, MI  48855
(734) 487-6743 ph
(734) 487-6744 fx
http://www.wash.k12.mi.us   
Program Description:
This program serves young adults with disabilities, helping them transition from high school to adult life.

University of Michigan Health System Youth Mentoring Program
JoAnn Grantham, hr-mentor@med.umich.edu or jogrant@med.umich.edu
jrose@wash.k12.mi.us
UMHS Human Resources
2901 Hubbard, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
(734) 936-8710 ph
(734) 763-9506 fx
 Program Description:
UMHS Human Resources Youth Mentoring Program matches high school students in Ann Arbor with medical professionals in UMHS for three years to encourage the students to choose careers in the medical field and to help them find direction in their studies.  The program also offers enrichment programs, leadership and other trainings for the students.

Destiny and Purpose Community Outreach (DAPCO)
Towana D Parker, Executive Director, Dapco1@sbcglobal.net
PO Box 19119
Detroit, MI  48219
(313) 533-1931 ph
(313) 533-1932 fx
www.dapco.org
Program Description:
DAPCO is a mission and community service organization that provides resources and services for youth, men, women and senior citizens.  The Youth on a Positive Notes Role Model Mentoring program is a component of DAPCO that provides life skills and employment training for youth ages 12- to 18-years-old in Wayne and Washtenaw Counties.

EMU GEAR UP
Kelli Hatfield, Ypsilanti Site Coordinator, kelligearupypsi@aol.com 
Kathy Couture, Willow Run Site Coordinator, kcouturegearup@gmail.com  
203 Boone Hall, Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 487-0372
Program Description:
GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) serves students, their guardians and staff within the schools of three local districts: Ypsilanti Public Schools, Willow Run Community Schools and Wayne-Westland.  The GEAR UP program will follow those students who were in 8th grade during the 2007-2008 school year for the following six years until the summer before they go to college in 2012.  Through a wide variety of programs and events, GEAR UP's goal is to motivate and help these students to greater academic achievements and increase the number of students who apply and attend a post-secondary school.  GEAR UP students benefit from many programs, including before- and after-school tutoring, mentoring, college visits, weekend programs, summer programs, and much more.  GEAR UP not only focuses on students, but their families and schools as well.  Events and workshops on the financial aspects of college and how to choose the right school help the students' families along their journey to college.

Orchards Children's Services
Kesha Cooley, social worker, kcooley@orchards.org  
2797 Oak Valley Dr
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
(248) 593-2197 ph
http://www.orchards.org      
Program Description:
Orchards seeks to protect and nurture children and youth by providing shelter, sustinence, life and educational skills and opportunities.  Orchards provides accessible therapeutic and health services, maintain educational resources and conventional recreational activities.

 

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Contact The Washtenaw Youth Mentoring Coalition
Jennifer Chapin-Smith, Community Mentorship Coordinator
(734) 971-0277 x23 or by email: jchapin@aacil.org