Mentors make a difference 

Imagine being a high school student preparing for your future when suddenly all that you have goes up in flames. That’s what happened to Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew (pictured). At a time when she should have been hanging out with friends, preparing for the SAT or shopping for a homecoming gown, Froswa’ and her family were trying to return to normalcy after being displaced as a result of a house fire.

“I remember our family moving in with different relatives since we could not stay in our house,” Froswa’ said. “During that time, I started to lose my hair from the stress.”

The stress took a toll on Froswa’, but she continued to stay motivated in school. Luckily for Froswa, there was an amazing teacher, Ms. Settlemire, who ttook an interest in her and saw enormous potential.

“I was involved in a number of extracurricular activities, but she thought I should become a part of student government. She encouraged me to run for secretary of the student body and I did,” Froswa’ said.

“Ms. Settlemire went above and beyond her job description as a teacher and became a mentor to Froswa’. “She encouraged me and thought I could do anything. She recommended me to participate in a wonderful camp and when I went to college, I came back as a counselor. This camp was a wonderful experience but it also helped me to meet some amazing people that were instrumental in my early adult life.”

More than 25 years later, Froswa’ and Ms. Settlemire are still in touch via social media. “She did not care about my race or background; she saw my potential and invested in me. I am thankful to her and many others who sowed into my life.”

Ms. Settlemire’s intuition was spot on. Froswa’ is now a successful professional, author and social entrepreneur. She works as a national community engagement director for World Vision’s U.S. Programs and is a recent graduate of Antioch University with a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change. Additionally she is the CEO and founder of Soulstice Consultancy and author of “Rules of Engagement: Making Connections Last.”

Follow Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew on Twitter at @Froswa.

If you’re like most working professionals and entrepreneurs, you’re probably pressed for time. From conferences and luncheons to networking events and fundraisers, your work and social calendars are maxed out on any given day. Not to mention family responsibilities. Carving out time to mentor a young person seems impossible, right? Not necessarily.

Modern technology makes it possible to make a difference without leaving the comfort of your home or office. If you have at least an hour a week and a smartphone, laptop or desktop, you can be a mentor.

Several organizations offer virtual or e-mentoring programs. Your mentee doesn’t have to live in the same city, or country for that matter.

“If you have a big heart and a little time, consider mentoring,” said Rasheda Kamaria, chief empowering officer and founder of Empowered Flower Girl, a Detroit-area social enterprise that works with schools, communities and families seeking solutions to cyberbullying, relational aggression and other social/communication challenges facing teens. “Whether formal or informal, your mentoring relationship can have a tremendous impact even if you just spend an hour a week connecting with your mentee.”

January is National Mentoring Month and Empowered Flower Girl is partnering with the Skyline Club in Southfield, Michigan to launch the new Inspired Professionals series. The three-event series kicks off on Wednesday, Jan. 28 with the Mentoring Month Mix & Mingle. Additional events are scheduled February 26 and March 26. Visit empoweredflowergirl.com/mentor-month for details.

Why Mentor?
Research has shown that when matched through a quality mentoring program, mentors can play a powerful role in providing young people with the tools to make responsible decisions, stay focused and engaged in school, and reduce or avoid risky behavior like skipping school, drug use and other negative activities.

The Mentoring Effect, a national report commissioned by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, revealed that young people who were at-risk for not completing high school but who had a mentor were 55 percent more likely to be enrolled in college than those who did not have a mentor.