Children of homeless families, ethnic or refugee families, children in foster care, juvenile offenders and those who happen to have disabilities, are part of a myriad of under-served youth. For many deserving but under-served children, mentors are not a part of their life. 4-H mentoring programs are changing that. Here are just a few examples.

4-H mentoring programs in action

The AmeriCorps program “Explore, Experience, Achieve through 4-H Mentoring” is an example of a 4-H mentoring effort that pairs under-served children and adolescents with encouraging, caring adults. Seventeen counties have participated in this grant-funded program in 2004-05. They are Berrien, Calhoun, Crawford, Genesee, Ingham, Ionia, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lenawee, Macomb, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, St. Clair, Van Buren, Washtenaw and Wayne. “Under-served youth are just like other children,” says Lisa Bottemly, 4-H educator in Ottawa County. “They need love, attention and consistency. Mentoring is a powerful way to enhance their lives by giving them a caring adult to serve as a consistent friend and role model.”

Macomb County

The Macomb county 4-H Youth Mentor Program started in 1991. Its initial focus was one-on-one mentoring, but because of the AmeriCorps grant, it has expanded to peer mentoring. “Our AmeriCorps members have helped us make an impact in the southern part of our county and expand our service into new communities,” says county Extension director, Marilyn Rudzinski.

Lenawee County

Explore, Experience, Achieve Through 4-H Mentoring in Lenawee operates small group mentoring after school. The Lenawee Youth Council identified a need for more activities during out-of-school hours. 4-H Mentoring responded to county youth needs by providing after-school mentoring programs for second- to fourth-graders in McKinley, Garfield, Michener and Alexander elementary schools.

The Lenawee 4-H Mentoring programs help support schools by orchestrating learning activities that reinforce classroom themes and subjects in entertaining ways. “They really liked celebrating Dr. Seuse’s birthday because their schools were doing it,” says Heather Storrer, 4-H Mentoring AmeriCorps member and coordinator of the various after-school group mentoring programs. “They have so much fun and learn even more. Some of them have become more confident in their academic skills because they have adults around them that help them feel good about themselves.”

The kids at Garfield School in Adrian have been mentored by two caring and lively adults who happen to have disabilities. This came about through a partnership with Community Connections, an organization that works with mentally and physically handicapped people. “We believe it is important to expose kids to a diversity of caring and nurturing adults,” Storrer says. “The kids enjoy spending time with them and doing new things like science projects and creating photographic portfolios.”

Ottawa County

The 4-H Journey Program of Ottawa County is a partnership between MSU Extension and Ottawa County Family Court. It also has been operating since 1991. 4-H Journey aims to reduce the frequency and severity of delinquent behavior in youth by matching youth ages 8-17 with positive adult role models.

Kalamazoo County

In Kalamazoo County, Explore, Experience, Achieve Through 4 –H Mentoring is supporting schools by coordinating mentoring programs at Northeastern, Nothglade, Galesburg/Augusta and Milwood. Certified teachers are recruited and trained as mentors to instill good citizenship, political participation and delegation techniques through group mentoring.

“We look at the youth as partners. They form and work in committees that provide platforms for student government and tsunami relief. The youth at Galesburg even raised $470 selling flower pots,” says Tina Sherburn, 4-H Mentoring AmeriCorps member. “The children did a great job selling the flowers to the community and raising money for their club. Taking ownership of the club was a great confidence booster for them.”

The students at Galesburg/Augusta take pride in their program. They named it GAAP for Galesburg/Augusta Achievement Program. GAAP is unique because it offers leadership opportunities for its students. “The kids in our program schedule and meet in their committees during school,” Sherburn says. “They think about 4-H all week long and how they can make a difference in their school, community and world!” says Sherburn.

Calhoun County

In Calhoun County, 4-H Mentoring is implementing traditional one-on-one, small-group and cross-age mentoring models. Kristy Nelson, a senior at Albion College and a small-group mentor says, “It’s neat to work with my mentees on something in their neighborhood.”

4-H Mentoring in Calhoun County has enlisted mentors and mentees to serve by painting a mural in the historic Holland Park. This dedicated group has committed Saturdays to paint, have fun and create something visually aesthetic for their community. “Through this mural project, we are trying to instill a sense of pride in our parks and recognize the historical significance of Holland Park,” Mia Washington, 4-H Mentoring AmeriCorps member says. Before integration, Holland Park was the location of a school that serviced the surrounding African-American community. “This mural will help youth in this community understand this was the site of a school charged with the purpose of educating the African-American community during segregation,” Washington says. Although this community service project will take a few Saturdays to complete, the children are very committed to it. Nelson says, “Their parents and neighbors have been very supportive and encouraging.” When the mural project is completed, sixth-grader Sharley Rider “can’t wait” for her family to see it. Until then, Rider is “happy getting messy” while creating something long-lasting for her neighborhood. The opportunity to create something and make a difference is also echoed by sixth-grader Alex Fergusan. “Helping the community is fun. It makes me feel good and I can get dirty!” she says.

Crawford County

4-H “Life’s Better with a Mentor!” is serving youth in Crawford County and taking advantage of Crawford’s beautiful natural scenery. This program was started through the efforts of AmeriCorps member Clare Sussex. She has also been a relentless advocate and lead organizer for a Crawford County mentoring collaborative says Nancy Persing, 4-H program associate. “Clare’s enthusiasm has been contagious.” Through 4-H mentoring program efforts, Sussex has helped elevate mentoring programs throughout Crawford County.

Recently, the mentors and mentees of this program attended a canoeing trip at Michigan State University’s WaWaSum Lodge in Grayling, MI. “It was a wonderful activity!” says Sussex. “The mentees and mentors liked the chance to relax and enjoy each other’s company.” Along with canoeing, they also enjoyed an evening of “sing-a-longs” to the stringed staccatos of a local guitarist. “It was a job well done,” said one of the mentors. The mentees and mentors of Life’s Better with a Mentor! have also participated in a community service project for a senior citizen with limited mobility. “The opportunity to serve, contribute and be around adults who care helps instill confidence in our mentees,” says Sussex. Samantha, a mentee liked working with other mentors and mentees as a group. “It feels good doing something nice for someone else,” she says.

The role of 4-H volunteers as mentors for youth

A mentor is a caring adult friend who devotes time to a young person. A mentor’s main purpose is to help a young person define and achieve his/her own goals. Does this sound like the role of a 4-H leader? For many young people involved in 4-H clubs and groups, the adult leader can play the role of a mentor in their life.