Brandon Twp.- Maggie Hill was a shy 6-year-old being raised by her grandparents when she met Judy Henley, a volunteer in the Mentors Plus program.
Henley and Hill would meet for a couple hours every week for the next 12 years, as Henley took the girl to lunch, the park, the movies and more as her mentor, confidante, and, ultimately, friend.
‘She treated me like a person, not just like a child,? says Hill. ‘She guided me. If I had anything I needed to talk about or needed advice on, she’d give me advice.?
Hill, now 19 and in college, remains friends with Henley.
As a volunteer, Henley wanted to make a difference in the youngster’s life when she joined the program sponsored by Brandon Groveland Youth Assistance. But along the way, Hill made a difference in Henley’s life.
‘Anytime you develop a relationship, it’s bound to change you, give you insight into something you might not have seen otherwise,? Henley said. ‘It’s true for both of us. I would encourage anyone to mentor. You can mean so much to a child or young teen. You can show them something in their life they might not have seen? someone interested in them and willing to listen to them.?
The Mentors Plus program has been inactive the past few years, but is about to start up again, with Groveland resident Diane Howell as chairperson.
‘We’re trying to put adults with children who may have two working parents or have lost a parent, or a child with substance abuse in their family,? said Howell. ‘Kids that need a little something extra. The kids may not be in trouble, but may be headed that way.?
Volunteers are asked to take the child they are mentoring for an hour or two every week, out to do whatever they like, although it should be something inexpensive, since the emphasis is not on money spent, but time spent together.
‘It’s not supposed to be a financial thing,? Howell said. ‘There is a $15 limit. It’s not supposed to be the richest people that have these kids, it’s supposed to be someone who wants to be a friend.?
Volunteers apply, go through background checks, and attend an orientation during which they meet other mentors and learn about the program, get ideas for what to do, and learn about what the children in the program need. They will be matched with a child between the ages of 6 and 16. Volunteers in the program should be 18 and older.
Children in the program just need someone to talk to, to give them a pat on the back, says Howell.
‘So many kids just need that extra support,? she adds. ‘It’s a very rewarding program. An hour is not a lot of time, but it does a lot of good.?
Hill agrees.
‘I think the program, for kids who need it, is one of the best things they could have,? said Hill, who is majoring in criminal justice at Oakland Community College. ‘I kept to myself and it helped me open up more. I looked forward to it every week. Now that I’m older and I have a lot of things going on in my life, we still keep in touch and she’s a part of my life. If I needed to talk about anything, I know I could call her up and talk to her.?
An informational meeting regarding the Mentors Plus program is set for 9 a.m., Feb. 13, at the Oakland County Courthouse, 2nd floor, west wing, 1200 N. Telegraph Road. For more information, call Joy at (248) 858-0045; or call Diane Howell at (248) 634-4273.