Winning Futures

Mentors Sought for Local High School Students – Apply by Aug. 22

Headquartered in Warren at the Butcher Educational Center, Winning Futures is a non-profit organization that helps local students prepare for life after high school. Through an innovative in-class mentoring program, students get the guidance, support, and knowledge they need to be successful after graduation. The key to the program is the mentors – a network of local business professionals who volunteer their time, sharing their wisdom and guidance with students.

Warren resident Dave Fernholz is a plant manager at Fitzpatrick Manufacturing and longtime Winning Futures mentor.

“Students want to be heard,” said Fernholz. “They want to be understood and they want some straight advice. I’m helping them see a successful future and understand how to get there.”

According to Winning Futures President and CEO, Kristina Marshall, mentoring is a very rewarding and fulfilling experience.

“It’s life changing,” said Marshall. “Students leave our program with a strategic plan and the skills needed for success. And mentors experience feelings of gratification, knowing that they’ve significantly helped their students and, in many ways, the communities they live in.”

The mentoring program is structured and evidence-based. Mentors are trained and receive in-class staff support at every session. Male mentors are currently being sought for the 2018-19 academic year for schools in Warren, Detroit, Pontiac, Madison Heights, and Harper Woods. Mentors who are black or Hispanic are especially needed. Apply by August 22 online at www.WinningFutures.org/Volunteer/Mentor or call 586-698-4387.