Mentor Chippewa, INC.

Being an additional ear for a young person is a wonderful thing for anyone to do. I have mentored the same young adult for seven years. Young people don’t always get good press. Getting to know a young girl and seeing her develop into a responsible adult makes my heart happy and gives me renewed faith in our younger generation.

I've been a mentor through this program since 1998. It is so impactful to the kids in our community. The staff is incredible and I'm so proud to be a part of Mentor Chippewa.

I have been meeting with a middle schooler for the past few weeks. Getting to know her, understanding her struggles, and finding common ground has been both rewarding and challenging. She is becoming her own individual, right before my eyes. I have the role of listening and supporting her where she is at in her life. Working with her, meeting with her has opened my own eyes to how children grow and develop. She has much to share, much to say, and much to absorb from me in our weekly meetings. My mentee is analogous to a puzzle, showing me one piece of her life at a time, allowing me to help her put " her life pieces" together. Fascinating and rewarding.

I recently had the enlightening opportunity to work with Mentor Chippewa, an incredible organization focusing on supporting and empowering the youth in our community to be their best self through the power of mentoring. My experience left an unforgettable impact.

From the moment I joined Mentor Chippewa, it was apparent that their mission to connect adult mentors with school-agers was executed with immense dedication and passion. The organization provides an opportunity for the youth mentee to thrive, grow personally, and unlock their full potential while offering the adult mentors to make an impact on the community they serve.

The first aspect that amplified the effectiveness of Mentor Chippewa was their thoughtful mentor screening and training process. I was thoroughly impressed by their commitment to ensuring the suitability and capabilities of each mentor. This comprehensive approach ensured that both mentors and mentees were matched thoughtfully, resulting in fruitful, impactful, and long-lasting relationships.

The impact of Mentor Chippewa's work extends beyond the individuals directly involved, working towards building a stronger and empowered community. They actively collaborate with local organizations and schools to create a network of support, ensuring the long-term success and well-being of the youth they serve.

Mentor Chippewa is a shining example of an organization that understands the importance of investing in the youth and the potential they hold. Their dedication, passion, and unwavering support make it an absolute pleasure to be a part of their initiative. I wholeheartedly recommend Mentor Chippewa to anyone looking to make a difference in the lives of young individuals and create a lasting impact on the community they serve.

If you're looking to make a positive imapct in a youths life, Mentor Chippewa can help! I have been a volunteer with the program for the past year and it has been nothing but rewarding. 30 minutes a week of your time is all it takes!

I have been a part of the Mentor Chippewa program for the past seven years as their Executive Director. In my time with the program, a lot has changed, but one thing has remained the same and that is the passion that each person involved brings to the program. From the staff to the board, to the mentors themselves, these people give selflessly to make sure that all of the youth who participate in our programming receive the support they need to feel empowered to be their best selves.

As a part of the community for the past 35 years, this program has made an impact on the lives of hundreds of youth, right here in our own backyard. We are starting to see and hear the stories from the youth who participated all those years ago who are now coming back to be the Mentor they needed as a child to another youth in our community.

We are also experiencing growth in other surrounding communities that recognize the impact this program has made on youth and want to replicate it in their communities. This is not only a great accomplishment, for the program to be recognized by outside partners, but also a great opportunity to highlight the legacy of the people who had an idea to "help out wherever they could" all those years ago.

I started mentoring about 20 years ago when my wife, who was a teacher at the time, told me about a boy in her 4th grade class that was a good kid, but his life could go either way and he could use a little guidance. He was available for mentoring, but at first I was a little reluctant. It turned out to be the best decision of my life and we were able to make a difference in both our lives. We still keep in touch 20 years later. He turned out to be a fine young man and is currently serving our country in the Navy. Today, I am mentoring two young boys and I look forward to every time we meet. I am so grateful for a program like Mentor Chippewa that gives us the opportunity to connect with kids that just need to know there are people out in the world that truly care about them. It's all about making a difference in the world one child at a time. How great is that!

My experience with Mentor Chippewa was as an employee of the school district that partners with Mentor Chippewa and also as an employee of Mentor Chippewa. In both positions, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the mentor/mentee relationships that build as they meet on a weekly basis. I couldn't help but smile at times when the pair would be giggling over a shared story, a picture from an event such as prom or homecoming, or the thrill of getting a good grade. Some mentor/mentee relationships may last a year or two and some may last many years. Mentor Chippewa truly is a wonderful program for youth who could use an adult friend to talk to, maybe learn from and just be with. It's a win-win for everyone.

I began my journey with Mentor Chippewa as an employee. Working for Mentor Chippewa has been a heartwarming experience and I continue to enjoy my time here. Hearing the stories mentors and mentees share about the impact 30 minutes one day a week has on their lives inspired me to take my involvement further and become a mentor myself. Although my experience as a mentor is new, I look forward to building a relationship like I have seen so many other mentors do. The mentors in our program come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, the one thing they all have in common is their desire to help make the future better for the youth in our community and beyond. Watching these relationships develop over time is truly the best part of my job.

Twenty three years ago I needed something in my life that wasn't about me. Thankfully I was introduced to Mentor Chippewa. Mentoring has been one of the best and most fulfilling experiences in my life. One school hour a week doesn't seem like it can make a differnce in a childs life, but it definately does. To see a kid blossom and grow because of the time you spend with them is very gratifying. I cannot think of a better investment of one's time then mentoring.

I have been a mentor for this program since 2018. I’m grateful for the connection and leadership this program has provided. Because of them, I am able to spend time two days a week with two individuals that I get to help mentor and guide! They are changing the world for our youth! I am also on the board and serve to bring the program into more school districts and offer positive school based mentorship.

I have been involved with Mentor Chippewa for many years as a mentor and I appreciate how well run the organization is. Important communication is always timely and clear and I appreciate all the extra reminders when there is a change in schedules. In my role as a school principal, I also see the benefit of the mentor matches with some of my students. Having an extra positive adult relationship makes a big difference in students' lives. Mentor Chippewa provides a great service in our area. All the research shows that even one positive relationship with a caring adult can make a huge difference in the life of a child - many times a mentor provides that one important relationship. Kudos to Mentor Chippewa - keep up the great work!