New Mentoring Program to Aid Troubled Youth

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
February, 2009

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.

New mentoring program to aid troubled youth

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

To help Montmorency County youngsters experience the positive outcomes of mentoring, MSU Extension has established a new youth mentoring program. Five adult volunteers have been recruited and are working with mentoring coordinator Lana Klein in preparation for beginning interactions with youngsters.

Klein, a Montmorency County 4-H alumnae and former 4-H leader, is currently working on her bachelor’s degree in social work.

The program is funded by Strong Families Safe Children program and is aimed at Department of Human Service clientele. Klein is working to match these young individuals with appropriate adult volunteers.

Mentors need 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.

4-H Council Announces Awards

A hardy group of 4-H leaders and guests braved the wintry weather to attend the annual Montmorency 4-H leaders program recently. Along with presenting certificates to leaders, and a short program about 4-H Exploration days, three major awards were announced. These were:

4-H leader of the year Kathy Noffze

Friend of 4-H: Community Foundation

For Northeast Michigan

Friend of 4-H: Communities First Fund of Presque Isle Electric and Gas Co-operative

Montmorency 4-H Leader of the Year, Kathy Noffze receives the award from 4-H Council president Eric Vanderveer.

Contact: Karen Fifield or Dennis McClure

Better Kid Care offers providers with training close to home

The Michigan Better Kid Care program ensures that childcare providers receive free access to high-quality, professional training through MSU Extension.

Licensed providers, relative caregivers or those who want to become licensed providers can take part in a variety of educational options. These programs include face-to-face workshops, take-home modules and online courses.

“It is a very helpful program. It is also great that it is a local program,” one Montmorency child care provider said.

A program titled, “What Does Time Mean to Children?” was recently presented to nine licensed providers, pre-school teachers and aides. Based on a DVD from Penn State University, the program included hands-on demonstrations and complementary reference materials.

Face –to-face programs are presented each quarter, enabling providers to receive new educational materials evenly thorough out the year. There are trainings especially for new providers and relative caregivers.

Contact: Karen Fifield

Montmorency County Better Kid Care coordinator 989-785-8016

Montmorency County

MSU Extension Staff

Dennis McClure, County Extension Director

Karen Fifield, Extension Associate

Carol Klein, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) Coordinator

Lana Klein, Mentoring Coordinator

Vanessa Coy, Secretary

Tom Edison, Office Assistant

Health fair stresses education

More than 300 people attended this year’s Lewiston Health Fair, an event that is co-sponsored by the Montmorency Advisory Council, the Montmorency MSU Extension office and the St Francis Parish Health Nurse Program.

Nearly 30 vendors provided visitors with free or low-cost services including cholesterol screening, health risk appraisals, blood sugar testing, blood pressure, blood typing, hearing testing, glaucoma screening, massage therapy, healing touch therapy and reflexology. More than 100 visitors also received flu vaccinations.

This year's 10th annual fair stressed health education, with the emphasis being on prevention education. In addition to providing services, every vendor at the fair also had an educational display. Fair goers learned about nutrition and fitness, emergency medical services, alternative therapies, hospice, durable medical equipment, home care services, dialysis services and organ/tissue donation.

The Montmorency County MSU Extension display focused on increasing the amount of fiber in the diet. Attendees not only had the chance to pick up printed information, but were also able to sample delicious, healthy and tasty fiber-rich snacks.

Many attendees commented on the great value of the material that was available at the fair. An informal survey indicated that 60 percent of those interviewed would make a health-related change in their lifestyle as a result of educational materials they received at the health fair.

Contact: Dennis McClure