DELTA COUNTY, Mich. (WZMQ) – A mentorship program is starting the new school year reaching more students than ever.
September 1 marks the first anniversary of Youth Empowering Services (Y.E.S.). For one year, Y.E.S. has been connecting children with trusted adult mentors who meet with them during the school day.
Y.E.S. ended last academic year serving students in six schools. Now, the program is in 14 schools, including Cameron and Jones Elementary, Escanaba Junior High and Upper Elementary, the Escanaba Student Success Center, Lemmer Elementary, and Carney.
Program Director Patrick Bradway says Youth Empowering Services is in talks to join even more schools in the near future. He is excited by how quickly the mentorship program has grown in just a year.
“It feels like we’re going down a roller coaster with 150 kids behind us,” Bradway laughed. “But we know the importance of mental health for kids and we know the impact that we have on the kids through our mentors, which is why we do what we do.”
The program launched with only three students. With more than 100 this school year, Youth Empowering Services is looking for more mentors to volunteer.
“We are looking for anyone that can be a positive adult in a child’s life,” said Y.E.S. Executive Director Tiffany Hewitt. “We aren’t looking for perfect adults; we want anyone that can relate to children. Any walk of life. Anyone that’s willing to give 30 minutes to an hour each week.”
To celebrate its first anniversary, Youth Empowering Services is giving away a $500 check from its Hunter’s Raffle on September 1. Tickets are available at Old Glory Firearms and the Community Foundation for Delta County. To purchase tickets by phone, call (906) 786-6654. Click here for more information.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor to students in Delta and Menominee Counties, visit yes906.org. Click here to follow Youth Empowering Services on Facebook.
