In This Issue

Reach Out! Service Awards
Sharing Our Model
Elementary Family Leaders
Scarlett MS Family Leaders
Program Adaptations
Our 2004 Mentors
Our Board of Directors
Our Donors
Our In-Kind Supporters
Our 2004 Statistics

On Sunday, October 24, 72 children, mentors, and family members enjoyed a day at the Burkhardt Farm in Manchester. They got up close and personal with horses (including this summer’s new baby), miniature horses, the fainting goat, donkeys, a rabbit, a pet rat, dogs, and kittens. They also enjoyed pumpkin decorating and outdoor games.

    Hostesses and Reach Out! volunteers Rachel and Amber Burkhardt were also featured this fall in the October 23rd “Lending a Hand” section of the Ann Arbor News.

Thanksgiving Potluck

On Monday, November 8, 212 mentors, children, parents, and other relatives—from both elementary and secondary programs—gathered at the Scarlett Middle School cafeteria for our first Thanksgiving potluck. All brought dishes to share and then stayed to play scores of board games together. This kind of informal social gathering has long been requested, and a great time was had by all.

December Gala

On Monday, December 6, we hosted 88 mentors, children, siblings, parents, and grandparents for cupcake and cookie decorating, gym games, and family board games at Scarlett.

Contacts

Jeannine LaSovage, e-mail
  Executive Director
  734.747.9280 - voice mail

Debra Hamann, e-mail
  Elementary Program Coordinator

Martha Toth, e-mail
  Technical & Research Coordinator

Michigan Reach Out!

5575 West Liberty
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
  734.747.9280 - voice mail

www.reachoutmichigan.org

We are seeking board members
and partners to help us
raise sustaining funding

The University of Michigan’s Ginsberg Center recognized Reach Out! with three separate “2003–2004 Awards for Community Service and Social Action” at a ceremony on April 1, 2004.

    Scarlett Mentor and University of Michigan student CJ Johnson received recognition for “Outstanding Community Impact - Student Award.” CJ is in his third year as a volunteer mentor at Scarlett Middle School. While serving as the president of his fraternity (Pi Kappa Alpha, a long-time Reach Out! partner), he has found the time to serve as vice president of the Michigan Reach Out! board, as well. His tremendous commitment of time and leadership exceeds any reasonable expectation for a university student.

    Reach Out! itself received the award for “Outstanding Community Impact - University Organization.” During its 9th year of serving Ann Arbor children and teens, more than 125 UM Reach Out! volunteers provided mentoring and science clubs at Scarlett Middle School, Pattengill Elementary School, Arrowwood Hills Community Center, Bryant Community Center, Hikone Recreation Center, North Maple Community Impact Center, and Pinelake Village Community Center for more than 200 children. Bridget Briley, founding student board member for Michigan Reach Out!, fifth-year volunteer, and 2002 Outstanding Student honoree, accepted the award for the organization.

    Professor William Schultz received “Outstanding Faculty Member” award for his steadfast commitment as faculty advisor to the UM Reach Out! organization and as the leader of year-round science club activities at North Maple Community Impact Center. Further, Schultz was a founding member of the non-profit Michigan Reach Out! board of directors.

Connecticut Governor’s Fifth Annual Mentoring Partnership Conference

In Cromwell, CT, on Sept. 27, 2004, Director LaSovage presented to over 65 people the Reach Out! model for “world of work” and career mentoring. The Governor’s Prevention Partnership chose the Reach Out! program for statewide replication. Corporate, higher education, K–12 and community center leaders enjoyed learning about our model to link post–high school training and educational information to children and mentors, as well as business and industry resources to communicate what jobs and careers are like. LaSovage will return in May to provide workshops for partners on how to establish, implement, and evaluate programs.

Chicago Tutor-Mentor Connection Conference

Plans to present workshops on career mentoring and on school-based academic mentoring were canceled due to Director LaSovage’s hospitalization in November.

Mentor Michigan Providers Council

LaSovage was selected to serve on this council for a two-year term. The Michigan Community Service Commission, along with the Governor and First Gentleman Dan Mulhern, are striving to better link and promote mentoring throughout our state. The council determined goals and priorities at the October 2004 meeting.

Jackie Perun
Hometown: Rochester, MI
Major: Psychology
Junior, U. Michigan

“I’ve always enjoyed working with kids, so Reach Out! seemed like a good opportunity when I got involved as a mentor last year. This year I came back as a family leader because I realized how truly rewarding mentoring can be not only to the kids, but also to the mentors, and I wanted to help more people become a part of this program.”

Laura Ochoa
Hometown: Madison, WI
Majors: Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Spanish
Junior, U. Michigan

“Working with kids makes a huge difference in my life. Being a mentor, and the opportunity to make a difference—no matter how large or small—in a child’s life is a great thing. I love seeing the smiles and enthusiasm on the kids’ faces when we come to Pinelake each week. Monday is my longest, busiest day, and coming to Pinelake is the highlight. My mentee’s constant energy gives me energy and keeps me positive for the coming week.”

Jacqueline
Kontry
Hometown:
Rochester, MI
Major: English
Junior, U. Michigan

“Reach Out! is a way for me to give back to the community, as well as to connect with younger members of the community. It is an opportunity to affect the lives of children, inspiring them to do well and encouraging them to make dreams for their futures come true”

Emily Kennedy
Hometown: Ann
Arbor, MI
Majors: Art
History,
Pre-Dental
2nd year,
U. Michigan

“To me, Reach Out! is a beautiful opportunity to escape campus life and to give part of myself to another. It helps me get outside of myself and think about stuff that I might not otherwise. The families I have encountered appreciate so much of what we do, and that makes me feel wonderful.”

Candice Korkis
Hometown: Sterling Heights, MI
Majors: Psychology and Sociology
Junior, U. Michigan

“Reach Out! means realizing that we have the ability to make a difference in someone’s life, and that that opportunity is not only priceless, but rewarding. Reach Out! is humbling, satisfying, and an asset to anyone fortunate enough to be a part of the program”

Sandra Haber
Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, MI
Majors: French and Communications
Sophomore, U. Michigan

“Reach Out! is the time of the week when no matter how things are going and how I feel going into Scarlett, at the end of the hour I leave with the best feeling in the world. It is really amazing how such little time is so special to us as mentors as well as to our mentees. We really are creating meaningful relationships!”

Shara Cherniak
Hometown: Farmington Hills, MI
Major: Elementary Education
Sophomore, U. Michigan

“Reach Out! means making a friend and joining a family—I have become close friends with my mentee, and I now have a family in other mentors and their mentees. It is a really special place to be.”

Gwen Hekman
Hometown: Holland, MI
Major: Economics
Senior, U. Michigan

“Reach Out! has been a real opportunity for me. I have met the best group of people by belonging to this organization. There is a real difference between my relationships with fellow Reach Out! mentors and those with other friends and acquaintances. Reach Out! fosters a real sense of community, which is rare in any college setting, but especially at a school the size of Michigan.”

Kelly Anderson
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Major: English
4th year, U. Michigan

“Reach Out! is such a great way to connect with children beyond a superficial level and get to know them personally. It’s been tremendously rewarding to participate in my mentee’s life and to watch her progress academically and emotionally.”

Reach Out! programming has always evolved with the needs and desires of participants and host sites, but this year sees more changes than most. Our continuing shortage of funding prompts both a reduction in what we can ask of volunteer coordinators and a renewed determination to make as much of a difference as possible in the lives of both children and mentors. Further, we are committed to documenting programs and outcomes and to sharing our model with others, so that we leave something behind if we are unable to continue.

Family Leader Structure

With no funds for program coordinators or site leaders, we decided to organize mentors and children at all sites within small Family Groupings. Each is led by a volunteer Family Leader—a mentor who has been with our programs at least one year and who made the commitment to attend bimonthly Team Meetings for ongoing training, planning, and sharing.

    In addition, Scarlett has volunteer leaders to promote community service, the technology infusion project, the NASA project, and a Scarlett Reach Out! newsletter.

Professional Development

Our professional development for mentors has expanded, with regular workshops on relevant topics. We are extremely pleased at how many of our folks make this a priority in their busy lives. For example 64 community volunteers spent a lovely fall afternoon on Sept. 12 reviewing our mission, goals, and plans for the year.

Documenting Outcomes

We are seriously working with Scarlett Middle School to conduct quantitative research regarding the children we serve. Our goals are improvements in Attitude, Attendance, and Achievement. CJ Johnson developed a new spreadsheet for tracking measures of these parameters. He and Julia Power are working with Principal Carol Shakarian on the quantitative data.

Intentional Mentoring

We are focusing on true intentional mentoring at all sites this year, including the elementary school and community center sites, where our hands-on science clubs will match mentors with the same children for more meaningful relationships.

    As part of the effort to deepen relationships, our Family Leaders are planning more field trips, outings, and all-program social gatherings, such as our successful Thanksgiving Potluck and December Gala. Volunteers have long wanted more opportunities to get to know one another, their children, and their children's families.

Brown Bag Workshops

We are offering workshops for mentors, parents, and grandparents to better help us encourage and support our children with their academics and learning. Surveys will determine the days and times, during which participants may bring a lunch or dinner. Topics offered during the coming semester will be Learning Styles; Intentional Dialogue Skills & “I” Messages; 3 Levels of Learning; Keys to Healthy & Positive Youth Development; Study Skills; and any other topic requested by participants.

Collaborations

We are reaching out to Turning Points, the Center for Collaborative Education, and the Association of Illinois Middle-Level Schools (AIMS). Scarlett chose Turning Points for its reform consultant in the next three years. Director LaSovage served on the school’s Design Team and remains on the Implementation Team. She attended the three-day AIMS conference with Scarlett staff in August and met the regional AIMS Director, Deb Shrock. There may be a possibility for Michigan Reach Out! to work with these groups as a pilot/model program, or we may be able to merge with or be “taken over” by one of these groups.

    The University of Michigan College of Engineering continues to work within Scarlett. MRO! sprang from a National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center there, and another NSF research center partners with Scarlett now. We hope to find ways to work on campus again with such science centers, which typically try to promote math and science literacy and technical careers through K–12 outreach.

    Scarlett Principals Carol Shakarian and Bill Harris continue to be generous with in-kind support and grateful for our volunteers’ assistance. Although they have asked for funding to support us, that is very unlikely in today’s atmosphere of budget cuts and K–12 funding austerity at the state level.

World of Work

As part of our focus on motivation and planning for the future, our World of Work program during late winter and spring will help children explore passions, gifts and talents; offer them personality inventories; research diverse fields and careers that they might love; organize family field trips to colleges and workplaces; and offer job shadowing. Research clearly shows that our children need to see the relevance of school work to their real lives and to their post–high school plans. Few have much of a clue what work and careers are out there for them, and very few have really thought about what they love to do and what careers would match their passions.

    We need help with all of this! We are hoping to find Washtenaw Community College instructors and students to facilitate a Saturday visit late in March or April to learn about programs, training and coursework, as well as about articulation agreements with EMU and UM for those who want to continue for a four-year degree. Please contact Jeannine or Margaret Green—mother of a child in our Scarlett mentoring program and instructor at WCC, if you can help. We hope to have many options for our children, mentors and parents/grandparents to choose from on that day.

    We are also looking for people who love their jobs and could let children, mentors, and parents or grandparents visit their workplace for an hour or so to “job shadow.” Contact Jeannine if you can help us interview and write up these folks, or if you know of people who might offer such a service. Volunteers would be posted on our website and listed in “classified ads” for Scarlett mentees. Parents, grandparents and mentors will then be free to make arrangements to meet people in our community and see the realities of “work.”

Jon Acker
Baxter Allen
Kelly Anderson
Brook Anton
Jessica Baker
Crystal Baker-Burr
Mike Bakun
Rick Bastien
Beth Belloli
Ralph Beuhler, Jr.
Ralph Beuhler, Sr.
Caren Bieterman
Josh Boeve
Simon Bogdanowicz
Max Boigon
Casey Bourke
Bridget Briley
Liz Brunk
Amber Burkhardt
Laura Butler
Hyewon (Leigha) Chang
Shara Cherniak
Chung Cho
Jennifer Christenson
Amy Chung
Jamie Coleman
Eli Cooke
Rachel Craft
Emily Criste
Angeli Dahiya
Geoff Dietrich
Ashleigh Dowell
Lauren Eckert
Kelly Edwards
Laura Fischer
Robert Fowler
Nicole Fretter
Courtney Fritz
Andy Frolich
Pearl Fung
Wai Fung Fu
Emily Gansel

Nimmy George
Christina Gerazoonis
Julianne Gonda
Tim Goodman
Tommy Goodwin
Lisa Goulet
Rachel Goulet
Katherine Gregg
Kristen Grimshaw
Sandra Haber
Tahee Han
Laura Harley
Gwen Hekman
Eileen Helm
Lauren Hirt
Annabel Holsbeeck
Joanna Hooten
Elizabeth Houghton
Jenny Huang
James Hunnicutt
Werlson Hwang
Brigid Jennings
Adam Johnson
CJ Johnson
Katie Johnson
Carl Jones
Becca Juliar
Brian Kamstra
Sarvin Kashani
Emily Kennedy
Shravya Kidambi
Robin Kim
Danielle Kinkel
Chelsea Klemens
Alison Kolody
Jacqueline Kontry
Michael Konwiak
Candice Korkis
Samantha Lamberti
Jennifer Lamoureux
Hosup Lee
Jane Lee

Angie Leenhouts
Brandon Levey
Miriam Levine
Sook Fen Lew
Chris Lundine
Augustus Makris
Lance Maynard
Charles McCarren
Margaret McCarthy
Meaghan McElroy
Adrienne Mejia
Osvaldo Mendoza
Kristen Metzger
Neal Mugve
Eddie Muransky
Olga Mustata
Rohit Narayan
Charu Nautiyal
Ryan Neesam
William Nelson
Jerry Nordblom
Laura Ochoa
Peter On
Maggie Paczkowski
Laura Padalino
Abhaya (Abhi) Pandit
Marci Paskowitz
Jordan Pasqualin
Neal Patel
Justin Paul
Paul Peng
Louise Peterson
Jackie Perun
Alex Pevzner
Prasad Phatak
Natassia Polyne
Kate Porpatich
Julia Power
Brendon Quilter
Shawna Rafalko
Natalie Ramirez
Priya Rao

Kelsey Reed
Kirk Rzasa
Stephen Sanford
Todd Sarbaugh
Matt Schopfer
Neha Sekhri
Danielle Sgambati
Ardaman Pal Shergill
Alan Sheyman
Uday Shirish Trivedi
Janie Shreve
Heather Siegelhelm
Koby Simantob
David Simison
Stephen Sinas
Katie Skinner
Shecari Sorrells
Stefanie Stachura
Jasmine Stone
Ethan Street
Marta Sylvia
Katie Thomas
Suzanne Torrenga
Anne Uible
Abby Vallabhaneni
Justin Vandeputte
Andy Van Sumeran
Jen Vassil
Brian Vincent
Jane Viventi
Emily Vogel
Shaan Wadhwa
James Waldeck
Mandi Walker
Julia Wang
April Warren
Michele Willard
Malaia Williams
Lisa Yang
Mina Yang
Eric Yu
Alice Zheng
Denise Zheng

Our Board of Directors

Our Donors, December 2003 to November 2004

Total Financial Support:

$57,885

Foundation Gifts

$11,700  

2004 Proposals and Grants

$36,600

Colonial Square Cooperative
Grove Family Foundation
J. & E. Slavik Foundation
Pfizer Foundation (matching)

City of Ann Arbor
Downtown Ann Arbor Kiwanis
Pfizer Corporation

Individual Gifts

$9,585  

John & June Bassett
Cheryl Dale Beck
Matilde Benacquista
Jim & Sue Bristol
Letitia Byrd
Stephen & Stephanie Cherniak
Dave & Colette Dempsey
Barbara Dilisio
Ralph Dilisio
Abra Essad
Kathy Fojtik
Anthony & Beverly Fritz
Maria Gismondi
Stefania Gismondi
Mary Elizabeth Graham
Bob & Judy Kegerreis
Thomas & Sally Klein
Nell Kuhnmuench
Walt & Marilyn LaSovage
Amanda Lindow
Vickie Matthews
Lance Maynard

Kathleen McAuliffe
Tim & Michelle McCormick
John & Meredith Meeks
Louis & Kelli Meeks
Sandra Meeks
Michael & Leslie Morris
Gerald Nordblom
Don & Marie Olsen
Herbert Piilo
Madelyn Satz
Martin & Miriam Satz
Edith Semark
Dennis & Susan Shackelford
Karl & Sandra Shargabian
Clifford & Ingrid Sheldon
Linda Sietz
Max & Sue Supica
Martha & Gary Toth
Rosanna Toth
Joan Toy
Randy & Rita Whitcomb
Lura Williams

Bob Kegerreis produced an eight-minute professional documentary on Michigan Reach Out!

Tom McCartney prints brochures and newsletters.

Linda Chapekis provides accounting and tax preparation services.

The First United Methodist Church allows use of their facilities for meetings, training, potlucks.

Scarlett Middle School allows us to use copiers, a laptop computer, and the building for meetings, in-services, etc. They also conduct background checks for staff and volunteer mentors.