Mike and Juan spend their time going to the movies, getting Subway, and hanging around Michigan State University’s campus. No these two haven’t been friends for years- Mike is Juans mentor. A year ago, neither Mike nor Juan knew the other existed; now they hang out all the time.
The two of them were matched through Clinton County 4-H Youth Mentoring program Creating Connections last February. Neither one knew what to expect from the experience, but soon found they had a lot in common. Both Mike and Juan love baseball [Detroit Tigers to be exact], football, cars, playing catch, and eating! In July the two of them attended the 3rd 4-H Mentoring Weekend up in Tustin Michigan. The weekend was a 3 day, 2 night camp designed for 4-H mentoring matches. While there Mike and Juan enjoyed rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, making new friends, and learning more about each other. “[we] plan to go again next year, ” Juan said as the weekend ended.
Mike and Juan work together at the 2010 4-H Mentoring Weekend to complete the mentor/mentee obstacle course. They are both very excited to attend the weekend this summer and continue their match for a second year.
Mike has become a friend to Juan; one who can help guide, give advice, teach skills, or just hang out. “I get to go out more and hang out” Juan said about their relationship.
“It’s him being able to share stuff with me that he might not want to share with his best friend or his family, and me being able to provide him guidance based on what I’ve learned in my lifetime” is what being a mentor means to Mike.
The two of them are excited to continue their relationship for another year and plan on finding a class the two of them can do together.
To learn more about Creating Connections or other mentoring opportunities through Clinton County 4-H Youth Mentoring contact Andrea Villanueva at 989-227-6458 or villan17@msu.edu