Mentoring Working Group
Kansas Governor Brownback was the 2016 Chair of the MGA and his agenda focused on promoting the benefits of mentoring as a method to reduce poverty in the Midwest.Despite the globally recognized regional attributes of the Midwest, there are some in the region that are living in poverty. States continue to lead on policies, programs and assistance for those in need. However, the complexity of this issue does not allow for a one-size-fits-all solution. Fortunately, there are a lot of regional similarities and opportunities for sharing best practices.
As part of this effort, the MGA establishes a working group of Midwesterners from a wide-spectrum including governors’ and state agency staff, academia, community groups and other leaders in their states.
Participant List
| Quick Links | |
| Personal Attention Reduces Poverty by Phuong Ly from the Stanford Social Innovation Review |
Spotlight on Statesfrom the Spotlight on Poverty & Opportunity Webpage |
| U.S. Census Poverty Working Papers and Presentations | Coshocton Cirlces Graduates First Class |
| Sending Nurses to work with poor moms helps kids | SAFE (Screening Applicants for Effectiveness)developed by Friends for Youth |
| Mentoring training from the National Mentoring Resource Center | Working hand-in-hand with county leaders to build a brighter future for rural kids and families |
| Corporation for National & Community Service State Profiles | ||
| Illinois | Indiana | Iowa |
| Kansas | Michigan | Minnesota |
| Missouri | Nebraska | North Dakota |
| Ohio | South Dakota | Wisconsin |
Webinars
The MGA hosted a fall series of webinars to help highlight and promote methods and successes of mentoring programs in the Midwest.
September 29 – Growing Successful Mentoring Programs
- Joellen Spacek, Mentor, the National Mentoring Partnership
- Presentation
October 13 – Advocating Your Message
- Wendy Riemann, 1492 Communications
October 27 – Methods for a More Effective Relationship
- Michele Lebar, CorCompass, LLC
Conference Calls
The MGA organized a series of conference calls with members of the working group throughout the spring and summer to focus on varying aspects of mentoring individuals out of poverty.
April 7 – Introductory Conference Call
May 5 – Mentoring Program Overviews Discussion: Part One
May 26 – Mentoring Program Overviews Discussion: Part Two
June 14 – Exploring generational poverty and how mentoring can bring about change
August 4 – Sharing the (likely unintentional) hiccups and hurdles in government to helping those in needdiscussion
August 11 – Recruiting state employee volunteers discussion
September 1 – Reducing time on TANF and benefits discussion to assist mentees