• Become a mentor! Click to download application.
• Training dates/times
• Mentor Activity Journal
• Download Mentor Mileage Forms: (DHS) (Court)
• Youth Mentor Links

The MSUE 4-H Youth Mentor Program has provided mentor services to Macomb County youth since 1991. We match qualified adult volunteers with Macomb County youth in need of guidance, encouragement, and direction.  The goal is to prevent youth from becoming more deeply involved with the Court or FIA systems.  We are a prevention program, proven to save county tax dollars by diverting youth from more costly levels of care and intervention. Call 586-469-5979.

Eligible Youth
The 4-H Youth Mentor Program is open to interested Macomb County youth who are 10-16 years of age who are just beginning to show at-risk behavior.  They must not be actively involved with street gangs.  Youth in our program typically display the following behaviors or needs:  status offenses, school or home truancies, first or second offenses in retail fraud, have low self-esteem, are easily led by others, have impulsive or immature behavior, and are lacking positive direction.  They must be referred by Macomb County Juvenile Court Probation and Prevention Staff, Drug Court Staff, or Macomb Family Independence Agency Staff (Prevention, Protective Services, or Foster Care).  Youth known to be violent or in need of higher levels of care (residential treatment or hospitalization) are not referred to the Mentor Program.

Mentors
MSUE mentors are carefully recruited, screened and trained adults who volunteer to work with young people.  Prospective mentors are required to attend 18 hours of initial training, followed by background checks, including a Protective Services check.  They participate in a personal interview and provide three written references.  Mentors must be 21 years and older, can be male or female, and come from various ethnic, educational, and socio-economic backgrounds.  Mentors meet with their youth one hour per week for 6-12 months.  There are monthly group meetings for support.  All of them have a genuine desire to help youth move in more positive directions.

Mentors provide troubled youth with one-to-one support and guidance.  Once a mentor is matched with a youth, the mentor will initiate educational and recreational experiences while helping the youth achieve goals established jointly by the youth and mentor.  This is accomplished by regular in-person contact and telephone support.  Mentors have a wide range of abilities and interests.  The MSUE Staff will make an assessment of the youth's needs and match the youth with the most appropriate mentor available.  MSU extension is committed to provide support to Macomb County schools and communities interested in developing locally based mentoring programs.

If you would like more information about how to become a mentor for a child or start a mentor program in your community, you can contact Jan Gwozdz at 586-469-5979 or by e-mail at Jan.Gwozdz@macombcountymi.gov.

Youth Mentor Links:

• Administration for Children and Families at Dept of Health & Human Services
• Mentor/National Mentoring Partnership

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