Washtenaw Youth Mentoring Coalition

By: Brandon Seng, Michigan Nonprofit Association

For AmeriCorps member Anna Dusbiber, mentoring has always been a part of life. According to Dusbiber, there is no better mentoring match than an adult who has walked in the shoes of the youth they mentor. As a co-founder of the Youth Program at the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living (AACIL), she works to provide unique mentoring opportunities to youth with disabilities. The depth of her commitment to the field goes unmatched, because for Dusbiber, mentoring is an experience that has come full circle.

“I was a mentee at the AACIL before there was an official mentoring program,” said Dusbiber. “My mentor inspired me to live independently, and made a huge impact on my life. I have since been providing real life advice and experience to others through mentoring.”

Anna is certified as a peer counselor through the AACIL, and previously served for two years mentoring first year students at Eastern Michigan University as an upperclass student, prior to her graduation. She currently serves as a mentor through the AACIL Youth Mentoring Program, guiding 14-21 year olds in their transition toward independent living.
The AACIL Youth Mentoring Program matches youth with disabilities with mentors who share a similar or the same disability, and has shown great success. With 16 youth currently matched, mentors have a deep understanding of the challenges their mentees face, and are able to provide first hand experience to support them.

Inspired by the success of their youth program, the AACIL is now leading an effort to advance the mentoring movement and provide all the youth in Washtenaw County with access to a mentor. Jen Chapin-Smith, Washtenaw’s Community Mentorship Coordinator, and Dusbiber have worked side by side to develop what is being called the Washtenaw Youth Mentoring Coalition. This coalition brings 24 youth serving organizations within Washtenaw County together to more effectively match youth in the area with mentors.

“By connecting all of the mentoring and youth serving organizations in Washtenaw County, we have developed one go-to place for those interested in finding or becoming a mentor,” said Jen Chapin-Smith. “We hope to soon grant every youth in Washtenaw, Livingston and Monroe Counties access to a mentor.”

This coalition can be considered the hub of mentoring for Washtenaw County. With a membership that together serves the whole community, the coalition is ensuring that all of Washtenaw’s youth are given an equal voice.

“We are lucky there is a countywide coalition to support mentoring,” said Dusbiber. “I would like to see other CIL’s in the state duplicate this effort, because it has been so successful.”

The Ann Arbor CIL is the fourth oldest CIL in the world. With more than 30 years of service, it is part of the early Disability Rights Movement that continues to campaign for full equality and inclusion for people with disabilities. To learn more about the AACIL visit www.aacil.org. For more on the Washtenaw Youth Mentoring Coalition, and to become a mentor yourself, visit www.washtenawmentoring.org.

*Reprinted with permission from Michigan Nonprofit Association. For more information, visit www.MNAonline.org. Text may not be reproduced without written permission from Michigan Nonprofit Association.

2010 AmeriCorps Spirit of Service Winner an Example to All

Written by: Elyse Walter, Michigan Community Service Commission

*Please Note* Postings this week are brand new to celebrate the 2010 Disability/Inclusion Week.

Dwight Owens has always been a happy person. And despite a life-altering accident that threatened to take his life – Dwight is still a happy person today.

Five years ago, Dwight was hit by a drunk driver in Collins, Mississippi. As a result, he is permanently paralyzed. Through diligent hard work and months of rehabilitation, he gained back basic functions and independence – and began serving others.

It started with extensive outreach campaign (Before You Drink, Think Like Owens) to express to individuals the dangers of drinking and driving, which catapulted into assisting others with disabilities. Dwight even developed a “Men with Disabilities” support group that encourages independence and leadership. Through his various volunteer efforts he was introduced to AmeriCorps, and instantly wanted to serve!

Dwight just finished a term of service with the LIFE of Mississippi Project LINC (Linking Individuals to Neighborhoods and Communities) in August. Project LINC aims to assist individuals with disabilities in their efforts to relocate from an institutional setting back into the community or to insure independence in the community is maintained – something Dwight has had first-hand experience with.

As part of his AmeriCorps service, Dwight provided peer support to more than 1,200 individuals with disabilities, completed 48 ADA site surveys to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities, and provided more than 300 life skills training sessions to increase independence for Mississippians with disabilities.

Dwight’s efforts made quite an impact – throughout the state of Mississippi and the country. In June he was honored with the 2010 National AmeriCorps Spirit of Service Award, an annual recognition that highlights those who have performed exemplary service in their communities. Dwight was chosen from 325 nominees and received his award at the Corporation for National and Community Service’s 2010 National Conference on Volunteering and Service.

“The thing [service] that I do…I don’t do it for the publicity,” explained Dwight. “But getting that award in front of thousands of people, it kindof validates what you’re doing. That you’re doing the right thing.”

According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, Dwight’s efforts allowed many Mississippians with disabilities the chance to be active, productive members of their communities. He believes the same can be said by serving with AmeriCorps.

“AmeriCorps is a great program for people with disabilities,” he said. “It connects you to the different resources that are out there, makes you feel good about yourself, and builds your character. Just because you have a disability doesn’t mean you can’t contribute!”

Dwight is an illustration of how an individual with a disability who joins national service can impact others and himself. Consider becoming an inclusive national service program. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mcsc.