Our very own Alecia Rapp in the news !!
February 6, 2012
MMCCC AmeriCorps Program Supports Thousands of Mentoring Matches
For the second year in a row, a unique Michigan's AmeriCorps program is helping mentoring organizations from throughout the state to increase their capacity and support mentor/mentee matches. The Mentor Michigan College Coaching Corps (MMCCC) has placed 45 AmeriCorps members statewide to help enhance youth mentoring programs by providing mentor recruitment, training, support and evaluation. By increasing each organizations capacity, each MMCCC member assists with more than 50 mentoring matches for a total impact of more than 2,000 young people matched with mentors.
Like many AmeriCorps members, MMCCC members serve full-time with an organization for an entire year. In return for their service, members receive a small living stipend and an educational award. However, for members like Alecia Rapp, the true reward is getting to impact lives every day.
"I decided that I would love the chance to mentor a young person and started the process. I was then offered the position as the AmeriCorps member and Mentor Coordinator instead," explained Alecia. "I could not pass up this opportunity! Instead of helping one youth I was given the opportunity to help so many more."
Alecia has been serving with the HOPE Mentoring Program in Midland/Isabella County since September of 2011. Her program works with youth in foster care and Alecia has been touched by the courage of one young 13 year old in particular. "The young lady was new to our program and had not been in the foster care system very long. She was unsure if she wanted a mentor but ultimately decided she would."
Since beginning their mentoring relationship, the mentee has exhibited increased confidence and positive attitude. She is so happy now and her mentor feels the same way. The young lady recently told Alecia ""I believe that everyone should have a dream and should pursue it without letting their surroundings stop them. You cannot pick your parents but you CAN pick what you want your future to be."
For the second year in a row, a unique Michigan's AmeriCorps program is helping mentoring organizations from throughout the state to increase their capacity and support mentor/mentee matches. The Mentor Michigan College Coaching Corps (MMCCC) has placed 45 AmeriCorps members statewide to help enhance youth mentoring programs by providing mentor recruitment, training, support and evaluation. By increasing each organizations capacity, each MMCCC member assists with more than 50 mentoring matches for a total impact of more than 2,000 young people matched with mentors.
Like many AmeriCorps members, MMCCC members serve full-time with an organization for an entire year. In return for their service, members receive a small living stipend and an educational award. However, for members like Alecia Rapp, the true reward is getting to impact lives every day.
"I decided that I would love the chance to mentor a young person and started the process. I was then offered the position as the AmeriCorps member and Mentor Coordinator instead," explained Alecia. "I could not pass up this opportunity! Instead of helping one youth I was given the opportunity to help so many more."
Alecia has been serving with the HOPE Mentoring Program in Midland/Isabella County since September of 2011. Her program works with youth in foster care and Alecia has been touched by the courage of one young 13 year old in particular. "The young lady was new to our program and had not been in the foster care system very long. She was unsure if she wanted a mentor but ultimately decided she would."
Since beginning their mentoring relationship, the mentee has exhibited increased confidence and positive attitude. She is so happy now and her mentor feels the same way. The young lady recently told Alecia ""I believe that everyone should have a dream and should pursue it without letting their surroundings stop them. You cannot pick your parents but you CAN pick what you want your future to be."
Posted by Marcus Brown.
