It takes a community to raise a child.
Washtenaw Promise is proud to be a part of that community.
We hope you will join us in becoming a mentor to young children who need your support.
Here’s our guarantee:
The experience will enrich the life of a child in need, as well as your own.
In partnership with the Ypsilanti Community School District (YCS) and early childhood education specialists from the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD), we bring dedicated student volunteers into the preschool to work directly with kids and teachers. We call this effort our “Big Friends” program, intending that each volunteer will act as a friend to young children in their first or second year of school. We provide children with connections with caring adults outside of school. It is well understood that these connections can make a profound difference in the lives of children.
Big Friend mentors are invited to participate in bimonthly Mentor Forums which include discussion and training in trauma informed care and a variety of other topics related to early childhood education. Forums offer presentations from preschool educators, social workers, behavioral specialists and others in the community. It truly does take a community to raise a child.
Our Big Friend mentors:
- are patient, kind, compassionate and committed to the well being of children
- believe in the critical importance of early childhood learning
- are willing and interested to receive ongoing training to develop even greater skills
- share an interest in building relationships with teachers, parents and caregivers
Big Friend mentors are invited to participate in bimonthly Forums which include discussion and training in trauma informed care and a variety of other topics related to early childhood education. Forums offer presentations from preschool educators, social workers and others in the community. It truly does take a community to raise a child.
Interested in becoming a Big Friend mentor?
Fill out this form and we will send you details about how to get started.
Washtenaw Promise is proudly supported by our Big Friends Advisory Group:
Emmanuel Jones, Founder, Mentor2Youth
Ginelle Skinner, Principal, Beatty Early Learning Center
Daniel Young, Principal, Ford Early Learning Center
Kathryn Watson, Behavioral Specialist, Beatty Early Learning Center
Carly Ly, Mental Health Specialist, Washtenaw Intermediate School District
Sandy Williams, Executive Director, Foundations Preschool
Deata McLemore, Founder, Bottles-N-Backpacks, Childcare Development Center
Karen Paciorek, Professor, Early Childhood Education & Children and Families, Eastern Michigan University
Althea Wilson, Early Head Start Home Visitor, Washtenaw Intermediate School District
Libby Sheldon, Early Childhood Specialist, Washtenaw Intermediate School District