Washtenaw Youth Mentoring Coalition

Many mentors make a positive
impact of their mentees even in a
short time. For example, “Kevin”
(real names are withheld for
confidentiality reasons) is a
17-year-old high school student
in foster care who has a learning
disability and is emotionally hurt by
the family situation that put him
into foster care. Because he will
soon age out of foster care, Kevin’s
social worker placed him in an
apartment with two roommates
rather than with another
foster family.

Kevin needs to learn how to ride the
public bus by himself, manage a
household budget, write checks and
earn income - none of which are
skills he already has and that he
cannot learn from his parents.
The Ann Arbor Center for
Independent Living [www.aacil.org]
matched Kevin with a mentor
from the University of Michigan
Business School who taught
the young man how to budget and
save his money, as well as how
to read the bus schedule.
As a result of his mentor’s help,
Kevin is less likely than the
average foster care youth to
end up homeless when he
ages out of the system.

It’s the perfect place to meet your match. You may not realize it, but right now there
are hundreds of young people in the community who would love to be paired with a caring, responsible and committed volunteer just like you.

With an alliance of more than 20 mentoring and youth-focused organizations right here
in Washtenaw County, we’re ready to make this important connection happen. We’re also here to provide each of our mentors with training and support. We want to make sure we do all we can to make sure both of you get the most out of this special experience.

There isn’t any better way to make a difference than by mentoring a young person.
You’ll find teaching and guiding someone is truly one of the most important and inspiring
things you can do. Sharing ideas and strategies about living in today’s world is invaluable
to these kids. Even better, you always end up learning something, too. The really good part? Mentoring can also be a whole lot of fun.

You need to know that volunteering takes a real commitment of time and energy.
But we think you’ll find the results of being a positive role model are well worth the
investment. And if you need any more encouragement, we’ll gladly tell you nearly
100% of people who mentor recommend it to others. "A mentor is an adult who, along with parents provides young people with support, counsel, friendship and constructive example. Mentors are good listeners, people who care, people who help young people bring out strengths that are already there." - National Mentoring Partnership

Washtenaw Youth Mentoring Coalition members include the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County, Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County, COPE Alternative Education Program, Eastern Michigan University, Education Project for Homeless Youth, Hikone Community Center’s Community Action Network, HOPE Program of Sumpter Community Church of God, Lutheran Social Services of Michigan, Mentor Michigan AmeriCorps, Michigan Ability Partners, the Neutral Zone, Reach Out Michigan, the Village Initiative, Washtenaw County Trial Court CASA, Washtenaw County Children’s Services Department, Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative of the Washtenaw County Department of Human Services, Building Restorative Communities of the Washtenaw County Trial Court, Washtenaw County Youth Mentoring Program, Washtenaw Intermediate School District, the Youth Empowerment Project, and YES! for Kids.

Home Volunteer Connect Mentor WYMC Benefits Events Links

Washtenaw Youth Mentoring Coalition c/o the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living
2568 Packard Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104 (734) 971-0277 x23