LANSING - At the invitation of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, Michigan's First Gentleman Dan Mulhern today used the governor's radio address to highlight January as Michigan Mentoring Month and called on volunteers across the state to mentor in 2009.  Governor Granholm has designated January as Michigan Mentoring Month, a designation that coincides with the national celebration of mentoring month.  

"Mentoring is one of the most meaningful ways you can volunteer because you can significantly impact the life of a young person," Mulhern said.  "No special skills are needed, just the willingness to care and spend time with someone who needs you.  Mentors are everyday heroes who transform a life or even a community through their simple commitment to make a difference."

Mulhern said that mentees often lack what most of us take for granted - someone who consistently sees the good in them, helps them to understand their world, and listens.  Mulhern also said that children sometimes just need a champion in their corner, a listening ear, an encouraging word, a consistent friend. 

The first gentleman added that there are many children waiting to be matched with a caring adult in Michigan.  Most of these children are boys who need positive male role models.

The governor, first gentleman and two of their children are mentors.  For more information on mentoring, call 2-1-1 or go online to www.mentormichigan.com

In recognition of National Mentoring Month (NMM), President-elect Obama is also urging citizens to be the change and mentor a child.  NMM shines the light on the need for and importance of mentors.  Individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities and nonprofits can work together to increase the number of mentors to assure brighter futures for young people.  For more information on NMM go online to http://www.nationalmentoringmonth.org

The governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday morning and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state.  The address is available on the governor's Web site www.michigan.gov/govfor download, together with a clip of the quote above.  The radio address is also available as a podcast on the Web site, as well as on iTunes and via RSS feed for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers.  Links to the audio files and text of today's address follow.

# # #

First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern
Radio Address - Celebrate Michigan Mentoring Month
January 2, 2009

Full:  http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov178_Full_261251_7.mp3
Edited:  http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov178_Edit_261252_7.mp3
Quote:  http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov178_Quote_261254_7.mp3

This is First Gentleman Dan Mulhern speaking to you on behalf of my wife, Governor Jennifer Granholm, on an issue that is very dear to us: mentoring.

Because January is Michigan Mentoring Month... Jennifer invited me to tell you a little bit about the mission we're on to spread the word about how mentoring transforms lives, two at a time.

I guess you could say that my family and I are all mentoring maniacs.  Jennifer, our teenage daughters and I are all mentors - we know how blessed we have been, and we see children who could just use a champion in their corner, a listening ear, an encouraging word, a consistent friend. Our mentees have enriched our lives. 

In these tough economic times when we are all feeling the pinch of a national recession, it can feel almost impossible to give of yourself, but just an hour a week can make a difference for a child who needs your support.

Earlier this year, former U of M football coach Lloyd Carr stepped up and came out of retirement to recruit for a new type of team, a team of mentors to match with young people.

Isn't it amazing that the simple commitment of as little as an hour a week in a school mentoring program can completely alter the arch of a child's life.  Mentored children are absent less, do better in school, enjoy better friendships, and are less likely at an early age to drink, smoke or experiment with drugs. 

They often lack something most of us took for granted - someone who consistently sees the good in them, helps them to understand their world, and listens.

There are many children waiting to be matched with a caring adult in Michigan, most of these children are boys who need positive male role models.

Could you be there for a child?  Just see them about once a week?  Just see the world through their eyes?  Just give them a little challenge and encouragement?  Sharing a little of yourself with a young person can reward both of you with lifelong benefits.

Mentoring is one of the most meaningful ways you can volunteer because you can significantly impact the life of a young person.  No special skills are needed . . . just the willingness to care and spend time with someone who needs you.  Mentors are everyday heroes who transform a life or even a community through their simple commitment to make a difference.

Here's my promise to you: become a mentor, and you will change the world.  You won't just change a child's life - you'll change your life, too.  I encourage you to 'pass it on.

Pick up the phone and call 2-1-1 or go online to www.mentormichigan.org.  Help change the world - two lives at a time, mentor in Michigan.

I'm First Gentleman Dan Mulhern, and I thank you for listening.

# # #