If someone would have told me a year and a half ago that I would be planning events to promote mentoring, national service, and teaching youth life skills, I would have laughed. Not because these things are absurd, but because it all seemed impossible for me to achieve. Here I am though, serving a second year with AmeriCorps, doing just that...and more!
My days are far from 'normal,' which I love! On any given day you can find me doing “typical” office work such as writing up reports, creating mentor files, and case management….to things many of my friends are jealous I get to do for “work”…such as creating Christmas ornaments out of yarn, a balloon, glue and LOTS of glitter; guest grilling at Mongolian BBQ; seeing Michelle Obama; helping run the 
I’ve known for years that I’ve wanted to advocate for youth and I’ve always supported mentoring, but I had no idea that mentoring would become a way of life for me. I sometimes joke with my supervisor that I’m a one woman recruiting machine – but it’s true. Everywhere I go I’m posting flyers or setting out brochures. Everyone I meet I’m telling them about my “kids” and how they’re constantly challenging me to learn and grow professionally and personally. (I also throw in what mentoring opportunities are available in their area.) January is a particularly exciting time for me because it’s National and Michigan’s Mentoring Month! This means I get to talk about mentoring more than I already do; so to honor my non-official AmeriCorps title, let me tell you why January is like Christmas for mentoring programs.
Ten years ago the Harvard School of Public Health and MENTOR collaborated with one goal in mind: to raise awareness for mentoring. National Mentoring Month is designed for programs to create an explosion of media activity locally, statewide, and nationally. It also gives programs an opportunity to recognize those who’ve made a difference in the lives of youth. Through an increase in publicity and recognition events, National Mentoring Month produces a significant increase of new mentors!
I’ve personally seen the positive effects National Mentoring Month can have! Last year Clinton County Youth Mentoring had its first-ever mentoring open house. We created a slide show highlighting current and previous matches, had mentors talk about their experience, and of course had refreshments. Because of this event we had several inquiries and gained seven new mentors! This year, we’re keeping the general idea but polishing it up a bit. On Tuesday January 11th (yes that’s 1/11/11) from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Clinton County Youth Mentoring will be hosting our second annual Mentoring Open House. We’ll be thanking all the mentors involved with a small gift, educating the public through a video we’ve put together, and giving mentors another opportunity to share their experiences.
Trying to be a teacher, whether it’s a teacher of life or school, is one of the biggest misconceptions I see from potential mentors. This open house shows that being a mentor isn’t that at all. Youth don’t need another parent or authority figure, they need a friend; someone to share in their excitements, listen to their disappointments, and advocate and support their (what some may think) impossible ideas.
I’m realizing more and more, with every day of service, the goals that once appeared so out of my reach are attainable. I’m now excited to see what new challenges and adventures my year of service brings because it’ll only better me personally and for my “kids.” As the wonderful Audrey Hepburn once said, "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I’m possible'!"
To see what other mentoring programs in Michigan have planned for National Mentoring Month visit http://www.michigan.gov/mentormichigan/0,1607,7-193--129726--,00.html.
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