Today First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern announced the 2006 Governor’s Service Awards finalists. The finalists were selected from more than 180 individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations from across the state nominated for their commitment to volunteer service. Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern, and Jeff Daniels, beloved Michigan film and stage actor, will honor them at the Governor’s Service Awards, being held on Saturday, May 20, 2006 at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, Michigan.
"Volunteers are heroes who give of their time, talent, and treasure without thought of accolades,” said First Gentleman Mulhern, chair of the Michigan Community Service Commission, the organization hosting the event. "They deserve recognition and support from the highest levels. Their compassion and generosity creates positive change in the life of one person, one family, one community; indeed, the world."
The Governor’s Service Awards are an annual statewide recognition event acknowledging the contributions made by Michigan’s volunteers. There are eight award categories and five finalists in each category. Award winners, selected from the five finalists, will receive an award from Governor Granholm, Jeff Daniels, and First Gentleman Mulhern during the evening’s program. All forty finalists receive a Special Tribute from Governor Granholm.
The 2006 Governor’s Service Awards will be a theatre-style event with Jeff Daniels as the featured performer. Other local performers are Dr. Frances Brockington, O’Hare School of Irish Dance, Wayne State University Opera Workshop, and Detroit Symphony Orchestra Civic Youth Ensemble.
Jeff Daniels, who was born in Georgia and raised in southeast Michigan, is the founder and executive director of The Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea, Michigan. His Hollywood acclaim began in the 1980s with films such as “Terms of Endearment” (1983) and “The Purple Rose of Cairo” (1985). His recent film credits include “Because of Winn Dixie” (2005), "Good Night and Good Luck" (2005) and “The Squid and the Whale” (2005), for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe. “RV”, his latest movie co-starring Robin Williams, is scheduled to open in theaters on April 28, 2006. He has also been writing songs for more than 30 years and recently released “Jeff Daniels Live and Unplugged” whose proceeds benefit The Purple Rose Theatre. This highly entertaining, eclectic collection of songs includes “The Lifelong Tiger Fan Blues” and “Michigan, My Michigan.”
This celebration of volunteer service is made possible through the generous contributions of its sponsors. The Premier Sponsors are the DTE Energy Foundation, Lear Corporation, and Whirlpool Corporation. The Pacesetters are Health Alliance Plan, General Motors/GMAC, and Meijer. The Reception Sponsors are Comer Holdings and MASCO Corporation Foundation. The Governor’s Champions are Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network, Coca Cola, ConnectMichigan Alliance, CMS Energy/Consumers Energy, Greektown Casino, UAW-Ford National Programs Center, and UAW-GM Center for Learning. The Governor’s Heroes are the Mawby Family Fund / Battle Creek Community Foundation and Michigan Nonprofit Association.
The Michigan Community Service Commission, a state agency that builds a culture of service to strengthen communities, issued nomination applications for this year's awards. After a rigorous review by individuals representing nonprofit, volunteer, business, and education organizations, 40 finalists were selected in the eight award categories.
To purchase tickets to attend the event or for more information about the Governor's Service Awards, visit www.michigan.gov/mcsc or call (517) 373-4200.
The award finalists are:
Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award
This award, the most prestigious of the Governor’s Service Awards, honors an individual who has taken his or her volunteer service to the highest level—year after year. This award honors an individual, usually a senior citizen, who has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to community involvement and volunteer service. Individuals nominated in this category have made service a way of life for many, many years. The finalists are:
Mildred Corey of Battle Creek began volunteering when she completed high school in the 1930’s and continues today at 90 years of age. Her volunteer service began at her place of worship where she was a greeter and helped children with their homework. As a young married woman she and her family provided a home for two troubled teenage boys. She helped start the Extension Committee for Women in Menominee in the 1940s and taught money management, childcare, and other life skills. She then became a 4-H youth leader, a volunteer position she maintained for more than 35 years. She served on the Menominee County 4-H board and became a founding member of the Menominee County 4-H Foundation where she served for more than 30 years and helped develop their endowment fund. She is a founding member of the Menominee County chapter of the Farm Bureau, leading efforts to give farmers a voice in farm policy. When she moved to Battle Creek in 1991, Millie pursued her passion for gardening. She completed the Master Gardener program through the Leila Arboretum Society at age 78 and she continues to volunteer there two mornings a week. She also volunteers one morning a week at the greenhouse at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital. In 2005, the VA asked her to take on flag mending, which she currently does from her home.
Eugene Fisher of Vermontville learned the value of hard work and the satisfaction of a job well done from his father at an early age. He carried these principles into his volunteer work, which has spanned his lifetime. He has been involved with the Vermontville Syrup Festival for close to 50 years, serving as an officer for more than 25 years. As an active member of the Lion’s Club for almost 40 years, he coordinated the community calendar, Las Vegas night, and youth day. He has been chair of the annual Vermontville senior citizens’ appreciation dinner since 1990, and spent ten years as the chair of the D.A.R.E. program. He has been an active member and volunteer at the Vermontville United Methodist Church for 50 years. He has also been involved with the Vermontville Historical Society, been a Band Booster, served the PTO, announced local football games, been chairman of the holiday food baskets, Maple Valley Memorial Scholarship Foundation, and more.
Jack Salter of Royal Oak has been setting the volunteer standard in his community for five decades. His first volunteer experiences began when he was in college and volunteered with the Boys Club. Once out of the Army, he moved to the Detroit area to complete his education, and so continued his long-term commitment to youth. He was an original member of the Greater North Woodward Optimist Club (currently the Royal Oak Optimist Club) where he is the longest serving member. He was instrumental in starting the Boys Club in Royal Oak—where in 1958 the whole budget was $10,000, including his salary for a 60-hour week—and in 1980, the club became the Boys & Girls Club of Royal Oak. Under his leadership, the Club founded a community service program for youth who commit petty crimes. This model program is now used nationwide. Once again, due to Jack’s leadership, the Club expanded and is now the Boys & Girls Club of South Oakland County. Jack retired in 1990, but his volunteer service at the Club and other organizations, including the YWCA, YMCA, Salvation Army, and Royal Oak Youth Assistance, continues.
Russell Smith of Battle Creek began talking with families in the area about the possibility of a community zoo 33 years ago. Those early discussions motivated others to join him in preserving and educating people about wildlife and plant species. His dedication and commitment led to the development of the Binder Park Zoo. The zoo is a 400-acre wildlife park with more than 600 species of animals, which welcomes more than 300,000 visitors each year. It is conservatively estimated that he volunteered more than 20,000 hours on this project. Russ was instrumental in the fund raising campaign for the Miller Children’s Zoo producing more than $600,000 and in the $12.7 million campaign that resulted in the Wilds of Africa exhibit. He currently serves on the board of directors and is a regular zoo volunteer, having completed the required volunteer training class in 1980. Since 2000, official zoo records indicate that he has volunteered more than 2,395 hours in the education area alone.
Jack Willis of Port Sanilac began a lifetime of service with the volunteer fire department when he was 20. He has given 50 years of service to the department as a firefighter, where he has served as chief for the past ten years. Through the years, Jack has coordinated fund raising efforts for new trucks, rescue equipment, auxiliary vehicles, and training. His latest efforts resulted in a $71,250 grant from FEMA for gear, $17,500 from private donors for Jaws of Life, and $157,000 for a new fire truck. He has been involved with his local church for more than 20 years, volunteered for the annual summer festival for the 27 years of its existence, and been an active member of local service clubs. He has been a Booster, PTA member, and still cooks pancakes for the fire department’s Independence Day Breakfast.
Exemplary Volunteer Service Award
This award is reserved for an individual who strives to improve the lives of neighbors, friends, community, or congregation. Individuals nominated for this award could be adults, national service members, educators, and more. The finalists are:
Dennis Bernard of Birmingham began volunteering at local hospitals when he was 13 years old and has been an advocate for the vulnerable ever since. He helps people who are homeless, disenfranchised, mentally or physically disabled, or otherwise challenged. His key volunteer work has been with Jewish Vocational Services, a Southfield-based human service agency. Here he helped the agency grow from serving a few thousand people to more than 27,000, increased fund raising from $80,000 to nearly $300,000 in nine years, and also raised an additional $350,000 for their 60th anniversary. He works closely with the Jewish Federation, Jewish Community Council, and other nonprofit agencies to build coalitions and relationships with key community and state leaders. He has served on multiple boards and committees and has volunteered with his children’s baseball, softball, soccer, wrestling, and scouting activities.
Richard Herrmann of Croswell volunteers to benefit children in need, whether they have experienced abuse, life-threatening illness, or injury. He gives his time to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, PBS auctions in Detroit and Flint, the Children’s Trust Fund Fantasy Auction, Potter Park Zoo, Habitat for Humanity, and more. At the Masonic Lodge, he is an active member of the childcare transportation unit where he transports critically ill children and a parent to Shrine hospitals throughout the Midwest. He is also the community service projects coordinator at the Lodge where he started the Operation Care Safety Coffee Break Program, which has been in operation for 14 years. The $30,000 collected from this initiative has been donated to Thumbs Up for Michigan, Make-a-Wish, Ronald McDonald House, and Shrine hospitals.
Michael McCartan of St. Clair has embodied the spirit of volunteerism for all of his adult life. He has given his time to the local soup kitchen for 25 years, played an active role in March of Dimes fund raising for 20 years, and coached AYSO soccer for 10 years. He has been a member of the East China School Board since 1989 and has been a speaker and presenter at multiple school events for more than 15 years. He has served on many community boards including Economic Opportunity Committee, United Way, D.A.R.E., and State Intervention Coordinating Committee. He has been critical in the success of the St. Clair County’s Critical Incident Stress Management program and been a passionate advocate for mental health through activities such as suicide prevention and child abuse and neglect.
Carter Ryan of Ruther Glen, Virginia founded the Christian Caregiver Relief (CCR) to provide free breaks to caregivers. He has volunteered more than 10,000 hours since 1999, serving 90 percent of those volunteer hours in Michigan. Ryan was a caregiver himself until his mother, from Beverly Hills, Michigan, passed away. He has grown the organization to 293 volunteers who have given relief breaks to caregivers in ten Michigan counties and two other states. In 2005, he volunteered more than 2,750 hours and has made personal contributions of more than $25,000 to the cause. To best serve caregivers and patients, he has developed orientation processes, managed liability issues, set up management structures, and networked with health and social service agencies.
Hei Sook Wilkinson of Bloomfield Hills has a natural passion for serving her community, which started when she was a high school student in Korea volunteering at an orphanage. When she moved to Michigan from Tennessee in 1975, she began serving the Korean community and other Asian-focused and non-Asian organizations. She has volunteered with the International Adoption Community where she helps international adoptees develop a healthy identity, trains parents and professionals on the issues facing adoptee families, and bridges the gap between the adoption and the Korean-American communities. She serves on the Governor’s Advisory Council on Asian Pacific American Affairs and is a founding member of the Council of Asian Pacific Americans. She has done fund raising totaling more than $100,000 and has reached out to victims of the tsunami and Hurricane Katrina.
Exemplary Community Service Program Award
This award acknowledges the importance an organization or club makes in community life. The nominees in this category strive to make communities better places to live through a variety of activities or by focusing on one issue of primary importance in their community. Schools, faith-based organizations, national service programs, nonprofit organizations, and service clubs are potential nominees. The finalists are:
The Boundless Playground at High Point in Ann Arbor began when students at Honey Creek Community Schools raised $1,400 for playground equipment. Prior to that, Honey Creek and the special education program at High Point school established a tradition of integrating students of all abilities in learning together. When the initial funds were raised, a committee of students, staff, and administrators from the two schools had a larger vision of creating opportunities for children of all abilities to play together, too. More than 180 volunteers gave 4,300 hours of service, raised $500,000 through grants and in-kind contributions and created a play environment that is fully integrated, universally accessible, and open to the public. In addition to being used year round by the schools, University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University use the playground as a training site for student teachers.
Oakwood Healthcare System Caring for Kids Program of Dearborn is a holiday celebration that includes a festive party and generous parcels of food, clothing, toiletries, toys, household goods for hundreds of NorWayne children and their families. In 2005, more than 1,000 Oakwood Healthcare System volunteers gave 4,300 hours of service and $32,000 in goods to the celebration, which served 198 families. In addition to hosting the party and donating the goods, volunteers gave $7,000 in cash to the Goodwill Fund, which provides additional assistance to families throughout the year. Since the program began five years ago, volunteers have given more than $115,000 in food and gifts, $22,000 in financial gifts to the Goodwill Fund, and 12,000 hours, which assisted 600 deserving families.
Senior Companion Program of Detroit is housed at Catholic Social Service of Wayne County and works with 17 community organizations in Metro Detroit. This program creates volunteer opportunities for income eligible persons age 60 and older to provide companionship, respite, and support to their peers, who may need assistance due to limited mobility, illness, and/or caregiving responsibilities. In 2005, 90 Senior Companions provided 88,000 hours of service to more than 100 families. These dedicated individuals give the gift of healing, enhance the quality of life for seniors, nurture caregivers, dispel myths, break down barriers, and offer sincere compassion to those they serve.
Tuesday Toolmen of Kalamazoo is a group of 13 dedicated volunteers who use their skills to address home safety issues for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. These RSVP volunteers do electrical, plumbing, and roofing work, replace doors and windows, and install deadbolts, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, grab bars, and wheelchair ramps. Their skills allow many low-income seniors to remain safely in their own homes and prevent premature placement in nursing homes. Last year these civic-minded gentlemen volunteered 1,800 hours by repairing 125 homes, making 17 barrier-free modifications, and completing 12 home safety checks. This model program is now being replicated in other communities.
Wolverine Harley-Davidson HOG Chapter #1332 of Clinton Township is 1,600 members strong and the largest motorcycle chapter in the nation. Each year the group works closely with its sponsor, Wolverine Harley Davidson in Clinton Township, to implement four major charity rides. With the support of George De La Nuez, dealer/operator of Wolverine Harley Davidson, a typical ride attracts between 800-1,500 participants and generates $20,000-$40,000 for charities such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association, CARE House, Family Services at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, and St. Joseph’s Hospital Pediatric Unit. Recently, members began focusing on children in need, especially those in foster care. They provide the homes with an abundance of food, clothing, and gifts for the children and family. The Chapter also organized a special ride for former foster care children who rode on a motorcycle with a member to an event where they were reunited with their foster family for a day of fun. Volunteers also implement blood drives, Toys for Tots campaigns, Harley’s Angels toy drives, holiday adopt-a-family activities, and much more.
Youth Volunteer Award of Excellence
This category honors individuals who are age 21 or younger. These nominees may be involved with many activities or have given significant time to one particular cause. The finalist are:
Timothy Alford of Detroit is a junior at Davis Aerospace High School. He is also a member of the ART of Leadership Program (ALF), which is an intensive, seven-year program with rigorous academic and community service requirements. Through ALF, his volunteer work includes painting more than 25 homes as part of neighborhood beautification projects, conducting a health fair for more than 200 community members, creating a paint-by-number mural that depicts the vision for Detroit’s future, helping younger students with a Mind, Body, & Spirit Field Day, and facilitating reading programs with the Pistons and Shock. He has also volunteered with a local soup kitchen. He had done all of this while being a member of the National Honor Society, and winning a President’s Achievement Award for Science.
Robert Hayes of Dearborn is a 14-year old, 9th grade student at Edsel Ford High School. He began his volunteer career at Oakwood Healthcare System at age nine where he performed office duties, graduated to computer entry, and now volunteers in the gift shop. His Eagle Scout service project involved giving back to kids in the community by recruiting volunteers and leading a playground and soccer field renovation project. He launched a six-month book drive which resulted in 3,000 books being donated to Michigan Friends of Education, St. Paul American Lutheran Church, and schools in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, and Ecorse. For the past four summers he has volunteer with the Children’s Summer Reading Program at the local public library. With career aspirations in computer science and aerospace engineering, he was also selected to attend the Dearborn Center for Math, Science, and Technology.
Tricia Marheine of Kingsford is a 17-year old senior at Kingsford High School where she plays an active role in volunteering in her community. She spends almost half of her volunteer time with the Proud Equestrian Program, which serves children and adults with disabilities. She has been an active volunteer with 4-H, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Tri-Hi-Y, and the Youth Advisory Committee. She also participates in varsity tennis, swimming, and diving, is a member of the National Honor Society, and sings with Concert Chorale. She is also the current Miss UP Rodeo Queen.
Joshua Sharp of Kincheloe is a 20-year old freshman at Lake Superior State University. He is a volunteer who has committed himself to one particular cause, the From Decisions to Actions Program. This program is a juvenile intervention program where Joshua started as a program participant in 2000. He was invited back as a youth assistant because they wanted him to share the many things he learned by accepting so many family responsibilities at a young age. In his role as youth volunteer, he sets up rooms and makes sure supplies are available throughout the program. He is responsible for paperwork and helps the other youth assistants with their weekly responsibilities. He has also served as a peer mentor to the elementary-aged program participants. Through his volunteer efforts, he has touched the lives of more than 450 youth.
Krystal Sunderman of Chesterfield is a 16-year old junior at L’Anse Creuse High School – North where she has logged over 1,500 hours of community service. She began volunteering at age five at the American Legion where she has sold poppies, tutored children, gathered personal home care kits, collected books and toys for the Children’s Hospital in Detroit, and raised money for the American Legion Child Welfare National. She is an active church volunteer where she teaches 4th grade, canters, sings in the choir, and plays bells. The volunteer work she finds most rewarding is with the Penrickton Center for Blind Children, which offers care for individuals who are blind and also have an additional disability such as cerebral palsy, brain damage, or mental retardation.
Senior Volunteer Award of Excellence
This cateogry honors individuals who are age 65 or older. These nominees may be involved with many activities or have given significant time to one particular cause. The finalists are:
Outstanding Corporate Citizenship Award
Comcast Communications, Inc. of Detroit is committed to leveraging their advanced technology and resources to making a difference in the communities they serve. In Michigan alone, 2,100 Comcast employees volunteered 40,000 hours at 24 project sites including schools, libraries, and nonprofit organizations. Comcast employees volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit, United Way, City Year, and more. In 2005, they provided more than $5 million of in-kind promotional support, offered free cable and high-speed Internet to 2,300 K-12 schools and libraries, and awarded more than $600,000 in scholarships to Michigan high school students. Their creative involvement also led to the development of a homework hotline, a weekly call-in program to help Detroit students with math problems. The Comcast Foundation, established in 1999, has donated more than $18 million nationwide since its inception.
Dobson-McOmber/Hylant Group of Ann Arbor demonstrates their community leadership through their support of the arts, education, and human services throughout Washtenaw County. They are involved with the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Food Gatherers, HelpSourse, Nonprofit Enterprise At Work, and more. The firm and its 70 employees have been leading the Washtenaw United Way corporate campaign on a per capita basis for years. They have contributed more than $750,000 over the years, serve as a model, and are leading the way for others to follow. When a fire destroyed the United Way building in 2002, this insurance company worked hand-in-hand with the United Way throughout the long recovery and rebuilding process.
Ford Motor Company of Dearborn began their tradition of community service under direction of the company’s founder, Henry Ford. This commitment to community continues today. In 2005, the US Ford 16-hour volunteer program, which allows salaried employees to take two days each year to volunteer at nonprofit organizations, involved more than 11,000 Ford employees from Southeast Michigan in more than 86,000 hours of service at more than 130 nonprofit organizations. Ford’s commitment to the local community is clearly demonstrated through their involvement with the Komen Race for the Cure, Super Bowl XL, United Way, Focus: HOPE, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Detroit Public Schools. Ford’s commitment also impacts communities nationally and globally through their work with Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and others. Ford Motor Company and its employees financially support numerous organizations in Michigan and around the world. Since the first United Way campaign in 1949, they have been the single, largest contributor to the United Way with more than $428 million through 2004.
Kellogg Company of Battle Creek is not only the world’s leading producer of cereal and convenience foods, they are an icon in philanthropy with their community involvement dating back to their founder, W.K. Kellogg. Employees and retirees are encouraged to volunteer, and thanks to the Kellogg Cares program, the nonprofits they serve benefit financially, as well. In 2005, this program, which donates $250 to organizations where employees and retirees volunteer 25 hours annually, contributed $12.5 million. In addition, each year the Kellogg Company gives $7 million cash and $21 million in product to various charitable organizations around the world. In Michigan, Kellogg’s significant philanthropic contributions are seen in the food banks statewide, where more than 411,000 pounds of product was distributed statewide in 2005, and in their commitment to the Battle Creek community. Locally, Kellogg and its employees are involved with the United Way, Battle Creek Health Systems, Junior Achievement, Battle Creek Public Schools, Race for the Cure, Battle Creek Community Foundation, NAACP, SER – Jobs for Progress, Neighborhoods Inc., and many more.
United Bancorp, Inc. of Tecumseh has been an integral member of the community since its inception in 1933. Volunteering is a corporate and personal responsibility all United employees take seriously, whether through their involvement with United Way, service clubs, faith-based organizations, schools, or other nonprofit organizations. Annually, more than 40 percent of United’s workforce volunteers nearly 13,000 hours with 170 community organizations. In addition, each year the bank contributes approximately $300,000 in support of local organizations and events. Employees are also serious about their financial contributions. During the 2005-06 Lenawee United Way Campaign, 100 percent of the colleagues made contributions that were matched 100 percent by United Bancorp.
Outstanding Mentor Award
This award honors an individual who has made a significant difference in a child’s life over time through mentoring. For the purpose of this award, mentoring is defined as a structured and trusting relationship that brings a young person together with a caring individual who offers guidance, support, and encouragement aimed at developing the competence and character of the mentee. The finalists are:
Ronald Smith of Kewadin got involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters in 2001 and began mentoring Shane, a young man who struggled with academics, social skills, and fighting. Ron’s calm demeanor and quiet but unwavering expectation of honesty and integrity were a great influence. His mother, teacher, and counselor all noticed improvements. When Shane moved to Florida in 2004, Ron didn’t hesitate to be matched again. His current Little Brother, Preston, was struggling with academics and self esteem. Under Ron’s caring eye, Preston has begun to flourish. They are avid sports fans and enjoy attending basketball and hockey games. Ron often goes to Preston’s school so they can eat lunch together, play cards, and work on homework. Ron has also taught Preston the importance of giving back. Together they volunteer at Bowl For Kid’s Sake and have visited children in the hospital during the holidays. Bill also helps recruit mentors, has helped increase public awareness about mentoring, and raised funds for mentoring.
Marvin Sonne of Farmington Hills began mentoring with The Guidance Center in 1999 when he was matched with Michael. Shortly after their match began, Michael’s brother, Robert, lost his mentor and Marvin began mentoring both brothers. Their relationship has continued for nearly seven years. Marvin, Michael, and Robert have participated in a variety of events that are social, cultural, and educational including roller skating, miniature golf, Tigers games, and visiting the Opportunity Center, and Detroit Science Center. He spends approximately 10 hours a month with the boys and has provided dental services to the family for little or no cost through his own personal practice. Marvin also includes his wife and children in his mentoring activities demonstrating the value of family to the boys.
Randy Walker, Sr. of Southfield is currently mentoring two young men and touching the lives of hundreds more. He began mentoring Kevin in 1997 through the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit and has been a solid role model in his life ever since. Randy also took Arbie under his wing because his father was serving time and not involved in his son’s life. Over the years, Randy and his mentees have done a variety of things including movies, go-carting, fishing, sporting events, banquets, and church events. He has stressed the importance of education and exposed them to the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. He has dragged the reluctant boys with him to community events, such as Safe Night and the American Heart Walk. Randy also integrated the boys into his family life involving his wife and two sons whenever possible. As a result of Randy’s involvement, Kevin will attend Northern Michigan University in the fall and Arbie will graduate from University of Detroit Jesuit High School this year and plans to attend college. Randy is also involved with 100 Black Men, Black Family Development, Detroit Public and Southfield schools, and church activities.
Gerard Wilbrink of Williamston has been volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters in Lansing for 19 years. Gerard began mentoring in 1987 when he was matched with Saul, his first of three long-term Little Brothers. Saul was ten when Gerard became his Big Brother and their official relationship lasted through Saul’s high school graduation. When Saul was about 15 and busy with his job, sports, and social life, Gerard began volunteering with Big For A Day, a program for children waiting to be matched. This is where he met Josh, a ten-year old waiting for a Big Brother. Gerard decided to become Josh’s mentor, too, and once again this relationship lasted through Josh’s high school graduation. Josh is now attending college at Northern Michigan University. Gerard is now mentoring Al and together they share a wide variety of activities from sports to homework to museums and Al’s mom credits Gerard for many of the positive changes she has seen in him.
William Whittaker of Grand Haven has been mentoring for nearly 48 years. As a store manager for Meijer, he informally mentored the many teenagers he supervised. Bill was always patient, flexible, and a great role model. When Bill retired, he decided to formalize his mentoring activities so he called the Journey Mentoring Program, which matches adults with youth that are on probation or involved with the courts. About two years ago, Bill was matched with Bobby, whose father has been absent for much of his life. They have had many adventures together that included fishing, laser tag, a cake-decorating contest, and Bobby’s first plane ride. They’ve also had some tough times and Bill has used these teachable moments to help Bobby learn about appropriate behavior and responsibility. Recently, Bobby moved to another city, but they still keep in touch with each other. Bill is also a community-wide advocate for mentoring by helping with fund raising and public awareness.
Innovative Mentoring Program Award
This award is presented to a mentoring program or organization that has found a unique and effective approach to mentoring children. This progressive organization maximizes limited resources and recognizes that with volunteers, anything is possible. The finalists are:
AMIGOS of Kalamazoo is a bilingual mentoring program designed to generate intercultural awareness, understanding, and knowledge. The program is a partnership between Kalamazoo College and Maple Street Magnet School and is coordinated by the Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Institute for Service-Learning. The magnet school is a diverse public school with roughly 70 percent of the middle school students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. Kalamazoo College is a private college with 70 percent of its students from affluent Detroit suburbs. The 22 mentor-mentee pairs spend at least two hours together each week, last year logging 1,375 hours. The K students help with homework and practice English with their mentees. The younger students offer the college students a glimpse of immigrant life and a chance to acquire and hone other language skills. Although programming generally takes place at the school, there have also been field trips to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo, Kalamazoo College, bowling, and plays.
Art of Leadership Foundation of Birmingham inspires vision and leadership in young people, while giving them skills to succeed and be community leaders. The program was developed using content from Personal Mastery Programs, Inc., an organization that believes extraordinary things are possible if people are genuinely committed and held accountable for results. Students are involved with the Art of Leadership Foundation (ALF) beginning in middle school and throughout their high school years. The program maintains a 98 percent student retention rate. The program begins with mentors and mentees participating in a leadership development retreat. Following the retreat, mentors visit the mentees in their school on a weekly or biweekly schedule to conduct leadership coaching sessions. Mentees receive the tools they need to solve problems and move toward their vision for the future. Students then lead their own communities toward that vision by creating, developing, and executing community service projects. Students also conduct leadership training for other youth and business people across the state. More than 200 youth have benefited from the ALF program and 100 adults have served as mentors.
From Decisions to Actions Program of Sault Ste. Marie is a project of Strong Families/Safe Children. It was designed by the residents of Chippewa County to reduce the number of youth out-of-home placements. The programs targets youth and their parents and is based on the theory of cognitive restructuring. On a weekly basis, parents and youth meet separately to attend two-hour classes, each working on the same lessons. The youth meet one-on-one with mentors to discuss challenges they face and review the week’s homework. Guest speakers and field trips are also part of the program. When the program began, most of the youth were court-ordered attendees. As time has passed, there are more school and family referrals. The From Decisions to Actions Program has expanded and similar programs are running in Tawas, Hale, Gaylord, Petoskey, Charlevoix, and Cheboygan.
Winning Futures of Warren is a program of Mentoring Solutions that couples mentoring with goal setting and scholarships. Winning Futures helps students in the Warren Consolidated School District connect their academic efforts to their future life’s work. The program is for 4th through 12th graders and helps students set six-week, one-year, and five-year goals to impact all aspects of their life including career, education, relationships, and personal values. Volunteer mentors work in a group setting with three students throughout the school year. Winning Futures has written and published unique workbooks based on character development, goal setting, and strategic planning. Each week, a topic from the workbook such as leadership, work values, resume building, or career assessment is presented to the mentors and mentees. The mentor-mentee teams then participate in group discussions, written exercises, self-assessments, and hands-on projects about the topic. During its 11 year existence, 14,000 students have benefited from this program. Student scholarships are also a key component of Winning Futures. Scholarships totaling $1.4 million have been presented to students since 1994.
Yellow Ribbon Kids of Negaunee is a program of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Marquette and Alger Counties. The program was developed to meet the needs of adolescents in families with one or more parents deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. Youth are matched with veterans of war or retired National Guard and regular service members. The unique match allows youth who are struggling with the difficult dynamics caused by the deployment to develop a friendship with someone who has been in a similar situation. Mentors help their mentees understand the need for deployment, develop healthy coping skills, process media messages, and simply hang out. This program also provides respite for the family and child by having the child out in the community participating in activities such as fishing, basketball, and movies.
Background:
The Governor's Service Awards is an annual event to honor and celebrate the people of Michigan who volunteer their time to make our communities better places to live. Since 1994, the Governor and his/her spouse have hosted this event. The event is managed by the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC). The MCSC, chaired by First Gentleman Daniel Mulhern, builds a culture of service by providing vision and resources to strengthen communities through volunteerism. In 2005-06, the MCSC is granting more than $6.8 million in federal funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities. The MCSC supports and manages programs such as Mentor Michigan, AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve, Michigan Volunteer Investment Grants, and Governor’s Service Awards.
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