Since its inception in January, 2013, My Sister's Keeper (MSK) has positively impacted the lives of thousands of under-privileged and under-served youth ages 7-24. MSK has forged partnerships with area schools, churches, businesses, organizations and individuals to provide two core pathways for youth mentoring activities, School-Based Mentoring and Community-Based Mentoring. These activities include one-on-one mentoring, group mentoring, peer mentoring, e-mentoring, academic enrichment, life skills training, field trips, community service projects, career exploration, internships, summer employment, summer programming, life-coaching and counseling services.  MSK is listed with the national registry for mentoring organizations and employs national best practices established by MENTOR (see www.mentoring.org). 

​

School-Based Mentoring is centered around facilitation of evidence-based curriculums, including Botvin Life Skills Training and The 40-Developmental Assets, as well as I Am a Keeper and Keep Her: The 7 P's of Healthy Youth Development. Area students are receiving instruction in developmental topics, such as Self-Esteem Building, Self-Efficacy, Etiquette, Entrepreneurship, Goal Setting, Financial Literacy, Public Speaking, Writing 101, Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens, Test Taking Skills & SAT Prep, College Prep, Anger & Emotional Management, Problem Solving, Conflict Resolution, Peer Pressure, Anti-Bullying, Decision Making, Relationship Building, Substance Abuse Prevention, and Self-Care. This program content has been covered in-school and after-school on the campuses of George Washington Carver Academy and other public and charter schools. Programming has been offered at Creative Learning Center alternative high schools. MSK is set to begin the facilitation of mentoring and life skills training workshops at Wayne County Community College District. In addition to its mentoring and life skills classes, MSK launched the KEEPING IT WRITE! writing, reading, and coding after school program. The program featured writing workshops with accomplished authors, peer-review,  proof-reading, critique, and coding projects guided by the Girls Who Code curriculum. At the culmination of the Keeping It Write! Program, our youth published an anthology of original writings entitled, Keeping It Write! Anthology Written by Youth for Youth. Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Write-Anthology-Written-Youth/dp/1735663506/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=. 

​

Community-Based Mentoring involves monthly group mentoring sessions, workshops, and activities  held virtually and at the My Sister's Keeper offices. Mentees are also paired with a caring and responsible adult mentor who commits to a minimum of 4 hours per month face to face time or one-on-one mentoring. Individual counseling services and goal-oriented life coaching are made available to our youth and their families upon request. MSK Partner, University of Detroit Mercy Counseling Clinic provides free counseling. MSK has worked with Grow Detroit Youth Talent and the Reggie McKenzie Foundation to provide summer employment. MSK provides service-learning training and youth-led community service opportunities. As a convener of community partners, MSK/MBK hosts community empowerment events throughout the year. See the following article on the Empowerment Zone Youth Resource Fair held on Global Youth Service Day 2019: https://www.telegramnews.net/story/2019/04/04/lifestyles/highland-park-youth-help-the-community-thrive-on-global-youth-service-day/589.html. 

 

Summer programming has included six-week camps culminating with a college and cultural tour. In 2018, My Sister's Keeper girls experienced Fisk and Tennessee State Universities, along with several sites in the Nashville and Memphis, TN area. In 2017, our young ladies spent the day at Spelman and Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA. The summer of 2016, MSK traveled to Washington, D.C. to tour the White House and other historical landmarks, as well as the campus of Howard University. Program participants have also visited Chicago, and local sites such as the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Zoo, Wiards Orchard, CJ Barrymore, Sky Zone Trampoline Park, and an Underground Railroad Tour.  We look forward to eventual overseas travel.

​

​

"Yes, I am my sister's keeper"