Mentoring Matters

United Way has been a partner in the Ottawa County Mentoring Collaborative since its formation. We believe that every youth deserves a positive adult role model and we are committed to supporting area mentoring programs as they attempt to reach that goal.

The evidence is overwhelming that volunteerism and the mentoring of children at risk, are among the most successful means of preventing drug use, teenage pregnancy, delinquency, and truancy. (America’s Promise CEO\ Raymond G. Chambers) Youth in local mentoring programs agree that having an adult role model helps them to set higher expectations for themselves.

“I have learned to be a better person to others and myself.”

Journey Program Youth, MSU Extension

Interested in Mentoring?
We are your first step. Take a look at the various mentoring programs available in your area. The specifics of each program and time commitment are listed. If you know what program you would like to work with, their contact information is listed. If you would like to discuss your options, call Paulina Lawton at (616) 396-7811 or (616) 842-7130. We would be happy to help.

Interested in the Collaborative?
Members of the collaborative include 15 local mentoring programs, Greater Ottawa County United Way.

Participating mentoring programs are: Barnabas Ministries, Big Brothers Big Sisters, CASA, Children’s Resource Network, Child Family Services of West Michigan, HOSTS, Journey MSU Extension, Kids Hope USA, LEDA Migrant Mentoring, STRIVE Scholarship Program.

If you are part of a mentoring program that would like to become a part of the Ottawa County Mentoring Collaborative, or if you want to become a mentor contact Paulina Lawton at (616) 396-7811 or click on the "Volunteer Now" tab on the far right at the top of this site.

Business Support
We are always looking for business sponsorship. There are many ways to get involved. You may choose to support our mentor card. Area businesses provide discounts to keep the cost of social mentoring down. Or, you may be interested in hosting a mentoring collaborative event. Your financial support helps to make those events possible.

Thank you!

2008 Community Assessment Lunch and Launch Event, Tuesday, September 30, at the Pinnacle Center in Hudsonville
More than 100 community leaders and social service agency directors gathered at The Pinnacle Center in Hudsonville on September 30 as Greater Ottawa County United Way hosted the launch and "green release" of the 2008 Community Assessment for Ottawa County. For more information, click here.

2008 DAY OF CARING September 18, 2008
More than 600 community members from area businesses, schools, churches and service organizations will perform service projects at approximately 70 sites throughout Ottawa County, coordinated by Greater Ottawa County United Way’s Volunteer Center. This is a way for individuals and organizations to give back to our community and extend a helping hand to our neighbors in need—in short, to LIVE UNITED.

More News