Judson Center is only one of a few agencies that match youth in foster care with mentors
Farmington Hills, MI – January is National Mentoring Month, and the non-profit human services agency Judson Center is hoping more adults, especially men, will make a New Year’s resolution to volunteer their time to make a huge difference in a young person’s life.
Judson Center’s Child Safe Mentoring Program is one of only a few programs in Michigan solely dedicated to connecting children and youth in foster care with caring adult mentors who serve as friends, advocates and supporters.
“Mentors are even more important now because the COVID pandemic has left many young people feeling isolated and lonely,” said Judson Center President and CEO Lenora Hardy-Foster. “Our mentoring program matches children and youth in foster care, ages 7 to 23, to an adult who can provide a positive impact simply by listening, caring and taking part in activities with them. We hear so many great testimonials about how lives have changed for the better for both the mentee and mentor.”
Program seeks new mentors, especially men, to fill crucial roles in the lives of youth
Currently, Judson Center has a specific need for men ages 25-45 to serve as mentors to young males in the Metro Detroit area who are waiting to be matched with a supportive adult who can help them navigate through life and serve as a role model.
“Unfortunately, 1 in 3 young people have never had a compassionate adult mentor in their lives,” said Judson Center Chief Strategy Officer Khadija Walker-Fobbs. “Studies have shown these types of mentor relationships empower youth in foster care and lead to more positive outcomes. Young people who have mentors are 55-percent more likely to attend college and 52-percent less likely to skip school. Plus, we’ve found that 75-percent of Judson Center’s mentor/mentee matches continue longer than the initial one-year commitment. That is proof of the importance of these relationships.”
The agency is looking for male and female mentors in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Judson Center’s Child Safe Mentoring Program provides mentors with extensive training and support throughout the duration of the mentor/mentee match. Anyone interested in becoming a mentor or learning more about the program can contact the Mentor Coordinator Tiffney Mullinax at 248.353.0921 or tmullinax@childsafemichigan.org. National Mentoring Month is a great time to get started, but the program welcomes new mentors year round.
About Child Safe Michigan
Child Safe Michigan, an affiliate of Judson Center, provides foster care, adoption, and mentoring services to neglected and abused children in Southeast Michigan. In addition to providing expert, comprehensive services, Child Safe Michigan offers children safety and stability that allows them to grow and thrive. The agency received the 2019 Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Child Welfare Team Excellence Award for outstanding commitment to Michigan’s children and families. For more information, visit www.childsafemichigan.org.
About Judson Center
Judson Center, trusted by Michigan families for more than 99 years, is a non-profit human services agency providing expert, comprehensive services that strengthen children, adults and families impacted by abuse and neglect, autism, and developmental, behavioral and physical health challenges so they can achieve whole health, well-being, and maximum potential. Judson Center also offers integrated primary healthcare for all through Judson Center Health in Warren and is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). Since opening its doors in 1924, Judson Center has grown to change the lives of nearly 12,000 children, adults, and families each year. Judson Center has offices in Genesee, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. Headquarters are located at 30301 Northwestern Highway, Suite 100, Farmington Hills, MI 48334-3277. Learn more at www.judsoncenter.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Daphne Hughes, Hughes Creative, LLC
248.417.4309, daphne@hughescreativellc.com
Hannah Gregory, Judson Center
248.837.2056, hannah_gregory@judsoncenter.org