May 20, 2003
May 20, 2003
Michigan First Gentleman Daniel Granholm Mulhern today was named chair of the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC), the state agency charged with funding and supporting programs to encourage Michigan residents to volunteer. Governor Jennifer M. Granholm appointed Mulhern to the commission this week.
During remarks at the MCSC's Governor's Service Award luncheon, Mulhern announced that he would direct the commission to put a new focus on volunteer programs that mentor children. The commission will serve as the home to Mentor Michigan, a mentoring initiative begun by Governor Granholm, former First Lady Michelle Engler, and former Detroit Piston Isiah Thomas in 1999 in partnership with the Prosecuting Attorney's Association of Michigan (PAAM.)
"As chair, I will direct the commission and its staff to help us strengthen and improve mentoring programs for children under the auspices of Mentor Michigan," Mulhern said. "We recognize that state government cannot do it all, and that is why we will reinvigorate Mentor Michigan as a massive volunteer effort that will create opportunities for all of us to be citizen patriots helping children succeed."
"The commission will provide the infrastructure to act as an information clearinghouse for mentoring, recruit volunteers, and work with mentoring programs in every county in Michigan," Mulhern added.
As First Gentleman, one of Mulhern's main priorities will be to promote mentoring and volunteer service in Michigan.
"Mentoring gives a child a safe place, a great start, and a healthier outlook," Mulhern said. "Mentoring rewards both the child and the adult who serves as a mentor. As MCSC chair, I will use this platform to expand and improve mentoring programs in Michigan, giving children access to caring, responsible adult role models who can make a tremendous difference in their lives by investing some time each week."
By using Michigan's networks, like the 33 Volunteer Centers, 12,000-strong Senior Corps members, or the literally hundreds of after-school programs, Mulhern said Mentor Michigan can help recruit mentors and connect volunteers with children in their local communities.
"The MCSC has the tools, reputation, and networks to establish a strong Mentor Michigan program," Mulhern said. "This will be a great benefit for children who have had a light brush with the criminal justice system and need guidance, those who are having trouble focusing on school, or those who want to spend time with an adult who can share a talent or job skill with them."
Mulhern also announced that he will host forums in the fall designed to bring existing mentoring programs in the state together to share information and help develop a comprehensive program for Mentor Michigan.
"We want existing programs to tell us what they need to help make Mentor Michigan a broad statewide initiative," Mulhern said. "Soon, we will have a web site to promote Mentor Michigan and act as an information resource for existing programs and organizations thinking about getting involved in mentoring."
"Mentor Michigan will help us secure a better future for thousands of Michigan's children," Mulhern added. "I am proud and delighted to spearhead this effort for the Governor."
