January 10, 2006– The January edition of the Department of Labor & Economic Growth’s (DLEG) cable show Consumer’s Corner focuses on the rewards of mentoring – rewards not only for the kids, but the adults who make a difference in their lives. The release of the show, which is guest-hosted by First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern, coincides with National Mentoring Month in January.

In this show, the First Gentleman interviews:

·                     Janet Lawson, Michigan Community Service Commission Executive Director

·                     Sylvester Jones, Jr., Big Brothers, Big Sisters Flint Executive Director

·                    Randy Walker, 100 Black Men Detroit

This show, airing statewide through early February, encourages Michigan citizens, particularly men and people of color, to get involved as mentors. According to a recent study released by Kahle Research Solutions, Inc. only 33 percent of mentors in Michiganare men.  The study also showed that while 36 percent of the mentees are children of color, only 24 percent of the mentors are people of color.     This disparity creates a dilemma for mentoring programs trying to match children with mentors from the same ethnic and gender backgrounds.

“Chances are you had someone special in your life who encouraged you and showed you the ropes …a teacher, a coach, a neighbor, family friend or family member. Unfortunately there are many kids today who don’t have a mentor in their lives.  We want to make mentoring the norm today, rather than the exception,” Mulhern said.

As attorney general, Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm created the Mentor Michigan Initiative, now lead by Mulhern.  Mentor Michigan is a statewide effort to raise awareness about the need for mentors and the benefits associated with mentoring.  As a result of the Initiative, organizations across the state are coming together to encourage people to mentor a child.

“When I was a college student I became a mentor for a young boy named Willie who I met through Big Brothers, Big Sisters. This mentoring experience left a lifelong impression on me and helped me decide to mentor a Lansingboy who has become part of our family,” Mulhern said. “It’s important that we put ‘men’ back into ‘mentoring.’”      

For more information about mentoring, call 1-800-VOLUNTEER or visit www.mentormichigan.org. Mentor Michigan is managed by the Michigan Community Service Commission, a state agency that builds a culture of service by providing vision and resources to strengthen communities through volunteerism.  Visit www.michigan.gov/mcsc or call (517) 335-4295 for more information.

For more information about Consumer’s Corner, visit http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/consumerscorner/ where you will find the show times, dates and topics. If Consumer’s Corner is not scheduled in your area, contact your local cable television provider.

The next edition of Consumer’s Corner on “Cool Workplaces,” also guest-hosted by Mulhern, begins airing across the state after Feb. 13th.

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth news releases.