Strong communities are built on connection, and mentorship is one of the most powerful ways to support young people. Through a collaborative partnership between Communities In Schools of Northwest Michigan (CIS) and Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), students at Kalkaska Middle School and Mancelona Middle School are being matched with consistent, caring mentors who provide guidance, friendship, and encouragement throughout the school year.
The shared goal of this partnership is to match 20 students with mentors by the end of the school year. While that number matters, the true impact of the program is found in the relationships being built along the way.
Mentorship isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about showing up. Being present matters, and students in the program feel the impact of that presence each week. For Sam, a 7th grade student, his favorite part of meeting with his mentor is simple: “playing fun games and having someone to talk to.” Those small, consistent moments of connection often become the foundation for trust, confidence, and personal growth.
That trust doesn’t stop outside the classroom. Students involved in the mentoring program often show improved attendance, stronger academic performance, and increased confidence in social settings. CIS Site Coordinator Shyenne Stapleton has seen this growth firsthand, sharing that she has watched students “truly showing growth in the classroom and in social settings,” calling the partnership “a true testament of what having a caring adult can do for a child.”
The impact of mentorship is just as meaningful for the mentors themselves. BBBS mentor Kelsey looks forward to her weekly visits, explaining that she and her Little “share the highs and lows of our week, play games, do homework, and build a relationship that I value a great deal.” One of her favorite parts of mentoring, she says, is reminding her Little that “she is a really cool kid.”
According to Tony Colombo, BBBS Mentoring Specialist, the partnership between CIS and Big Brothers Big Sisters is designed to “build bridges that connect families and kids in local schools with trusted, caring adult mentors to provide friendship, support, and create positive social and emotional growth.” Those bridges are already making a difference in both school communities.
Through this collaboration, CIS and Big Brothers Big Sisters are helping students feel seen, supported, and connected—academically, socially, and emotionally. The program is a powerful reminder that when a student has a trusted adult who consistently shows up, it can truly change the course of their life.
Those interested in becoming a mentor and making a lasting difference are encouraged to reach out to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Michigan or their local CIS Site Coordinator for more information.