VIP Mentoring Honors Outstanding Mentors

Mentors of Detroit unite! On January 22, The Metro Detroit Mentor Collaboration (MDMC) honored 10 of Detroit’s finest mentors on Thursday, January 22 at Millennium Centre Theatre in Southfield, MI. The event, entitled The Mentor Celebration Gala, featured a silent auction followed by the award ceremony. All proceeds from the silent auction benefited MDMC and its participating organizations.

Former University of Michigan football coach and new face of Mentor Michigan, Lloyd Carr, made a brief presentation and 96.2 WDVD radio personality Lisa Jesswien handed out the awards. Edward Hodge, 16, a mentee with VIP Mentoring was the night’s keynote speaker and reflected on his experience VIP and also about the rewards of mentoring in general.

“Mentoring is a light of guidance into the right direction,” Hodge said. “All the mentors that I have come into contact with have been more than willing to share their knowledge so that I may be of benefit.”

Hodge recalled experiences with all of his mentors. These included Detroit Pistons and Lions games as well as learning how to lay drywall and tile. He thanked all the mentors at the event and explained that when he’s old enough, he plans to become a mentor, too.

“It is not hard to make a difference, one just has to be ready for the journey ahead,” he said.

Honorees were Edith Assaff (chosen by VIP Mentoring), Edward Cherkinsky (Mentor Connectsion), David M. Chisholm (ART of Leadership Program), Nicole Dobbins (Student Mentor Partners), Jonny Jackson (Winning Futures), Todd Lounsberry (Big Brothers Big Sisters), Brenda Moore (Down to Earth), Stephanie Mosley (Vista Maria), Wendee Rex (Childhelp Michigan) and Tina Marie Zubaty (The Guidance Center).

MDMC is a consortium of 10 mentoring agencies including the ART of Leadership Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit, Destiny and Purpose Community Outreach, Down to Earth Community Outreach Center, The Guidance Center, Mentor Connection – Jewish Family Service, Student Mentor Partners, VIP Mentoring, Vista Maria and Winning Futures. It is a partnership between Mentor Michigan and local mentoring organizations to improve mentoring and celebrate those who do.