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Mentor Michigan & Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Fisheries Division Team Up to Support Youth Fishing Statewide
Contact: Jamie Wilson 517-335-7875 Agency: Community Service Commission
Thanks to a generous donation from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Fisheries Division, mentoring programs throughout the state received mini-grant funds in 2013 to support fishing-related activities. In December, employees of the Fisheries Division held a silent auction with the proceeds benefiting Mentor Michigan - a state agency which supports 250 mentoring organizations throughout Michigan. In total, the group raised $3,340 which will be used to help youth and their mentors enjoy the fun and excitement of fishing together.
"Fishing is a great activity for youth," said Mentor Michigan Director Amber Troupe. "However, some mentees have never enjoyed the fishing experience because they don't have the proper equipment, transportation, or otherwise. With this generous donation from the Fisheries Division, we were able to provide mentoring programs across the state with the funds they need to support fishing activities and other related expenses."
"For mentors and their mentees who already love to fish, these grants will provide the resources mentoring programs need to make fishing a regular match activity," commented Fisheries Division Chief Jim Dexter. "For other mentoring matches who have never tried their hand at fishing, these funds will allow their mentoring programs to create a first-time fishing experience that we know matches will love."
The following organizations were awarded mini grants from the DNR funding:
City
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Organization
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Award
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Project
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Alma
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Big Brothers Big Sisters Of Gratiot and Montcalm Counties
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$400
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With the help of a Fishing 101 instructor, the program will provide matches an introduction to fishing, covering how to identify fish , as well as safe and responsible fishing practices. After class, there will be a fishing derby that provides snacks and activities for matched and unmatched mentees.
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Alma
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Explore/Mentor PLUS
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$200
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The program will purchase fishing equipment and tackle for matches that will be made available for summer match activities.
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Alpena
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Alpena High School
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$200
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The mentoring program will be purchasing fishing equipment and tackle for matches that will be made available for summer match activities.
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Detroit
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Victory Development Programs
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$300
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This activity will introduce mentees to the sport of fishing. Youth will take classes on general water safety, the Great Lakes fresh water fish, and the rules and regulations of fishing. The different types of fishing will also be taught and youth will be familiarized with bait and tackle. Youth will then be able to join fishing events at the Huron Clinton Metro Parks, with guided, chaperoned field trips throughout the summer.
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Escanaba
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area
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$200
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The program will be providing all mentees, matched and unmatched, the opportunity to fish with local fishermen for a day of fishing.
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Franklin
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Young Ladies Ready for Life
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$200
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This project will introduce girls to outdoor activities via fishing. They will be taught how to fish followed by a friendly fishing competition with prizes.
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Grand Rapids
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Bethany Christian Services
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$190
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The program will provide refugee youth and their mentors trips to local parks for fishing clinics.
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Kalamazoo
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Big Brothers Big Sisters, A Community of Caring
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$400
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The program will introduce a two component fishing program. The program will have a one day fishing class, and later take the group on a fishing trip.
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Lansing
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Big Brothers Big Sisters Michigan Capital Region
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$200
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On Saturday May 11, youth in program will recieve a rod/reel combo and tackle box with their own tackle. They will learn basic fishing skills such as casting, knot tying, rigging for different types of fishing, regulations, and fishing ethics. They will then get to put their lessons to the test at Motz Park in St. Johns.
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Mio
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Oscoda County Peer Mentoring
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$150
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All program matches will head to the Grayling Fish Hatchery to learn about trout.
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Saginaw
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YMCA of Saginaw
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$100
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The YMCA of Saginaw will be taking 10 youth and mentors to the "Catch Me If You Can" fishing contest at the William H. Haithco Recreation Area on Saturday June 9. Participants will take part in the event's activities including three hours of open fishing followed by lunch and a raffle for door prizes.
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Traverse City
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan
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$200
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The Cherry Capital Bass Anglers fishing club is partnering with the program to provide the 24th annual One Day Fishing Tournament. Matches sign up to go out on a boat with a member of the club and learn how to fish and are able to fish for the tournament. The Bass Anglers club provides a free lunch, awards, and mentees will be given their own fishing equipment to take home.
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Traverse City
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Grand Traverse County Probate and Family Court Volunteer Services
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$200
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This program targets at-risk youth and will provide monthly fishing activities May - August.
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Zeeland
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Barnabas Ministries
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$400
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This project will provide matches with quality one-on-one time through fishing. Russ Gabel of Freewater Experiences in Grand Haven will be providing matches the opportunity to go on a fishing trip, that will not only teach them fishing, but will provide a fun afternoon.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Mentor Michigan supports nearly 250 organizations around the state that are changing lives by matching mentors with young people. Mentor Michigan provides those organizations with training and research. It fosters partnerships with businesses, faith-based and nonprofit organizations, schools, colleges and universities, and state and local government to support mentoring. Mentor Michigan also builds public awareness about the importance of and the need for mentors by urging caring adults to "Pass It On," because sharing a little of yourself with a young person can reward both of you with lifelong benefits.
Mentor Michigan is an initiative of the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC), the state agency on service and volunteerism. In 2012-13, the MCSC is granting more than $7.5 million in federal and private funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities.
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