Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Foster Youth – Need Money for College?


If you are a foster youth that wants to attend college this fall and feel that you don’t have the money to pay for it – this is the event for you!


Come to College Goal Saturday and receive help completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). By completing this form, you will find out how much student financial aid you will be able to receive towards your college education.

There is no cost and you do not have to register so please come and see how much money is really available for you to attend college!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21st 2009 2-4 PM

Wayne State University
David Adamany Undergraduate Library
5155 Gullen Mall
Detroit, MI 48202-0340

University of Michigan – Flint
Murchie Science Building
Room 109
303 E. Kearsley Street
Flint, MI 48502

What You Need to Bring?

1. Your Social Security Number
(You just need to know what it is; you don’t have to bring the card)

2. If you worked in 2008, bring your W-2 form(s) OR your completed tax return, if you have filed already. If you did not work in 2008, just bring your Social Security Number.

3. Your driver’s license. If you do not have a driver’s license, a state ID will work fine. If you don’t have either, don’t worry, you still can complete the form.
Have Questions?

Please call the Michigan Guaranty Agency toll free at 1-800-642-5626 and ask for any one of the following extensions: 37054, 38319, or 36051

Friday, February 6, 2009

Young Women's Political Leadership Program

Young Women’s Political Leadership Program:
July 15-19, 2009 Washington, DC
Application deadline: February 16, 2009

http://www.runningstartonline.org/leadership-program/index.php

The Young Women’s Political Leadership Program encourages high school girls to channel their leadership into politics. Running Start is hosting our second annual program this July to train high school girls in political leadership skills and to plant the seed that they should run for office. Fifty girls chosen for their leadership potential from around the country will come to Washington, DC for this exciting program. The girls are chosen from public, charter and private schools and we pride ourselves on recruiting a diverse group of young women to attend our program. The program is entirely free of charge, and travel scholarships are available.

The program, which takes place at American University over 4 days and 3 nights, allows the participants to meet extraordinary women leaders of diverse backgrounds and to learn about the importance of having more women in political leadership and of running for office themselves. They learn by doing through the highly interactive sessions. By the end of the summer retreat, they will have gained confidence in their own leadership abilities, and be ready to bring their leadership to their schools and communities. The girls learn about political leadership by working with inspirational women leaders, including Congresswomen and other elected officials and leaders in business, media and the law.

The program trains the girls in important skills necessary for political leadership including:
# Public Speaking and Presentation: Students will learn how to structure a speech and adjust to an audience, as well as learning and practicing the importance of posture, tone and answering post-speech questions.
# Advocacy: Students will learn the art of persuasive speaking and will practice basic debate and advocacy.
# Persuasive Writing: Students will learn critical thinking skills that correlate to the kinds of applications necessary in advocacy and politics. The girls will examine campaign materials, floor speeches, as well as grammatical and literary tactics that are often incorporated into successful persuasive writing.
# Campaigning: As a culmination of the program, the students will create a campaign for themselves tying in the aspects learned from the workshops throughout the leadership program, and they will give campaign speeches to the class and their parents.

Our goal is to create political leadership programs for high school girls across the US, so that young women can learn the value of political participation and the importance of their leadership in this area.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2008 TITLE SPONSOR WAL-MART FOR MAKING THIS PROGRAM POSSIBLE!

* Apply to the 2009 program in Washington, DC
* Bring this retreat to your community

Friday, January 23, 2009

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.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

VIP Mentees visit Ambassador Magazine




On the eve of Barack Obama’s inauguration, seven mentees from VIP Mentoring made a trip to Ambassador Magazine to celebrate the efforts of another influential African American – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. There, they met with six staff members and co-publisher Dennis Archer, Jr. to learn the intricacies of the magazine publishing trade.

The youth divided into six groups, partnering with at least one Ambassador staff member to focus on marketing, editing and graphic design with the end goal of producing a newsletter about the day’s visit. VIP Mentee Fifteen year old Cheryl met with Ambassador managing editor Rebecca Stevens and editorial assistant Rian English to produce the main story for the newsletter.

“Mentoring is valuable because it teaches students how to rise to many careers that meet their interests,” Carlisle wrote. Another VIP mentee, 16 year old Darnell learned about public relations and marketing in the magazine world from Ambassador’s marketing and public relations coordinator Lauren Elizabeth. She taught him about pursuing advertisers that fit the publication’s readership, creating timelines and the importance of organization. He created a mock timeline for Rolex and brainstormed ways to pitch the perks of advertising in Ambassador.

The magazine’s graphic designer, Adriana Lagrou, worked with several mentees to produce the newsletter’s layout. It was topped by the Ambassador masthead and featured Carlisle’s work. It also included the names of the VIP mentees who participated and as well as the magazine staff. A black-and-white sketch of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. complemented the page and tied it into the national holiday.

Jerry Dash, VIP Mentoring CEO said “We are excited about our new partnership with Ambassador and we look forward to future opportunities and events to be co-championed by Denise Ilitch and Dennis Archer, Jr.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

George Bush Declares January National Mentoring Month

National Mentoring Month, 2009
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America


White House News



During National Mentoring Month, we recognize the millions of individuals who dedicate themselves to making a difference in the lives of others, and we underscore our commitment to supporting these soldiers in America's armies of compassion.

Every day across our great Nation, men and women of many different backgrounds work to inspire our next generation of leaders. By sharing their time and experiences, mentors help instill important values that encourage America's youth to set high goals and achieve their dreams. Mentors demonstrate that the strength of our Nation lies in the hearts and souls of our citizens and that a positive influence in someone's life helps them secure a more hopeful future.

My Administration has been committed to building a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility. Through the Mentoring Children of Prisoners program, volunteers help provide consistent guidance and support so that these children can lead lives of opportunity and achievement. The USA Freedom Corps is strengthening mentoring opportunities in America and spreading a message of hope across our Nation. The Helping America's Youth initiative, led by First Lady Laura Bush, motivates caring adults to connect with youth to help them to grow up to be responsible and successful adults. By working together, we can enrich the lives of our next generation and continue a legacy of kindness and encouragement.

I appreciate our Nation's mentors and all those who contribute to their community by helping to change a child's life. For more information on volunteering to be a mentor, visit volunteer.gov. During National Mentoring Month, we honor the many Americans who have touched the lives of others with their compassion, and we reflect on their efforts toward building a stronger and brighter future for all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2009 as National Mentoring Month. I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the importance of mentoring, to look for opportunities to serve as mentors in their communities, and to observe this month with appropriate activities and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

The Community Arts and Education Program



ARTS
DANCE
MUSIC
THEATRE
WRITING



VIP Mentoring has teamed up with The Arts League of Michigan to offer The Community Arts and Education Program to our mentees. The program offers dance, music, art, theatre, and writing classes. Classes start January 26. Please contact our office if you are interested in enrolling your child(ren).