Steele Leading Mentoring Program

Bringing Knowledge to Life! / Partner Report /
Montmorency County
Courthouse Annex, PO Box 789
Atlanta, Michigan 49709
Phone: 989-785-8013 / E-mail:
Fax: 989-785-8014
Web: msue.msu.edu/montmorency
June 2010

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

Steele leading mentoring program

Barb Steele, new Mentoring coordinator

Numerous national studies have repeatedly shown the value young people derive from positive interactions with adult mentors. Young people who interact regularly with mentor show reduced school truancy, bullying and other antisocial behaviors and feel more positive about themselves and the future.

To help Montmorency County young people experience the positive outcomes of mentoring, Montmorency&MSU Extension established a youth mentoring program. Barbara J. Steele has recently been hired to assume leadership of this important program.

Steele has lived in the Atlanta area for nearly 20 years. She assists her husband in his ministry as pastor of Atlanta Bible Church, working in various children’s outreach. She is also the treasurer for the Salvation Army Atlanta Service Unit and Helping Hand. In the past she worked in the Tribune office and was the coach for the Atlanta Knowledge Bowl team. Barbara and her husband, Roger have three grown daughters, all working for service organizations.

The Adult to Youth Mentoring Program is funded by a Strong Families/Safe Children grant, and is aimed at Department of Human Service clientele. Steele is working to match these young individuals with appropriate adult volunteers.

Mentors are asked to commit to one hour per week for a minimum of one year. This time commitment is necessary to have an effective positive outcome for the youth. The youth in the mentoring program range in age from 9-15 years old. Anyone interested in becoming a mentor or for more information on the Adult to Youth Mentoring Program should contact Barb at the Montmorency&MSU Extension office in the lower level of the courthouse or call (989) 785-8017.

Dennis McClure, State Rep. Andy Neumann, Devon Dean, Jennifer Bowman for State Senator Tony Stamas

(photo by)Kurt Stepnitz)

Mr. Dean goes to Lansing

For the 28th year, teens from around Michigan—including Devon Dean from Montmorency County got a glimpse of how Michigan’s legislative process works during the four-day 4-H Capitol Experience conference in Lansing. While interacting with legislators, state agency staff members and lobbyists, the teens learned how Michigan government really works. Devon was among nearly 100 Michigan high school students who visited Lansing March 21-24 to tour the Capitol and the Supreme Court buildings, have breakfast with their legislators, attend legislative sessions and learn about career options in the government arena. Topics discussed included agriculture; crime, drugs and personal safety; education; environment and energy; health; and jobs and the economy.

Devon who was a member of the 4-H capital House subcommittee on agriculture, visited several locations to obtain information to help write their proposed legislation. Among Devon’s visits were the MSU dairy store, the anaerobic digestion research and education center; a meeting with Jamie Clover Adams, legislative director for the Michigan Senate majority policy office; Andy Blankenhorn education policy advisor for the Senate majority policy office, as well as a visit to the Michigan State Farm Bureau office, and the Michigan State Department of Agriculture offices. According to the agriculture subcommittee advisor; Devin was instrumental both in the writing, and the successful passing of their sub committee's bill. The final bill was a proposal forbidding any Michigan entity from having a tax on methane gas created by livestock. It was one of only two bills that pass both the 4-H Capitol House, the Senate, and signed by the 4-H Capitol Governor.

According to Devon, 4-H Capitol Experience was, “exciting, fun and I really learned a lot.”

For more information on 4-H Capitol Experience, visit 4-H online at http://www.msue.msu.edu/4h/capexp.html.

To get involved with 4-H as a youth member or volunteer, contact the Montmorency Extension office at 785-8013.

MSU Extension Support

Montmorency County receives support from a large number of MSU campus-based and regionally based staff members.

Some of those who have provided assistance to Montmorency this past quarter include

Luke Reese-Computer specialist

Steve Fouch-Fruit specialist

Russ Kidd- District forester

Howard Russell-Entomologist

Duke Elsner-Entomologist

John Amrhein-Government specialist

Julie Chapin-State 4-H program leader

Cindy Straus-Computer specialist

Laura Probyn-Communications manager

Mark Hansen- Michigan Firewise coordinator

Bill Carpenter-Agriculture Educator