Mentoring Program Host Family Night at Ross Taylor








In an effort to improve the quality of family relationships for its WorkFirst customers, the Stay the Course Mentoring Program hosted its first family mentoring activity at Ross Taylor on Aug. 19. Participants were treated to dinner, a guest presentation by George Stevenson, executive director of the Detroit Manufacturing Training Center, and a Tigers game.





Lisa Davis (center) and her family enjoy hanging out with Paws.




The American Society of Employers, Educational Foundation (ASE) operates the Stay the Course Mentoring Program and receives funds from the Michigan Department of Career Development through the Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA). This program pairs an individual with an experienced mentor who helps the mentee stay focused on their job training or employment goals. In addition to having a mentor, the program also includes group activities every month at local One-Stop Michigan Works! Agencies. These activities include presentations, roundtables, vocational clinics and skilled workshops.








Guest speaker, George Stevenson.




“Most of our clients are rejoining the workforce or transitioning into another job and one of their responsibilities is combining work with parenting,” said Kathy Tuck, program coordinator for ASED. “We hope our clients are empowered from Stevenson’s message, and take home key essentials that are important while juggling work with parenting.”
The mentors are Workfirst participants who are meeting the work requirements but are seeking training to improve their employment opportunities.
Stevenson, who has worked in the training business for more than 30 years, said he began speaking to groups with the objective of helping people adjust their attitudes so they will be able to succeed in the workforce. When Stevenson began speaking to groups, they primarily consisted of young single parents and as a result, it was essential to add a parenting skills component.








Activities were provided for the children that attended. 





Stevenson said it’s important to have good parenting skills before entering the work force because their behavior is reflected. During the program, Stevenson focused on key bullet points that will help make a good parent. They included:


    

  • Communication - Parents need to differentiate between right and wrong and there shouldn’t be a gray area.

  • Love - Set clear and reasonable limits, i.e. physical and emotional safety, and family values. It is impossible to spoil a child with too much love.

  • Respect - Treat your child as an individual and not as the typical adolescent.

  • Relationship - Establish an excellent relationship with children so you will be an influence in their lives.

  • Fear - Children should fear parents to a certain level so the child won't be tempted to disobey.



“By attending this event I have learned ways of improving my household,” said Cheryl Rhoden, a participant of the mentoring program. “I also realize I need to be loving but more demanding of my children.”



Stevenson said after participating in his workshop, he hopes people gain insight, set goals and learn basic problem solving techniques, which will help them become a more effective parent.



For more information regarding the Stay the Course Mentoring Program, please call 248–353–4500.





Stay the Course Mentoring Program participants enjoyed a family night out at Ross Taylor.








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