MENTORrific Women

MENTORrific Women! Taking a Girl Under Your Wing

MENTORrific Success Stories: Inspiring Stories from Youth Mentors & Mentees

About the Author: Paula C. Dirkes

Chelsea & Paula Dirkes

Author Biography

I was fortunate to grow up in an environment where positive role models were available to me and I learned the value of having a mentor early in life at home, in school and even in my neighborhood.

I have been working with young people since my days at Michigan State as a Physical Education major and student teacher. After graduating from MSU, I was a substitute teacher at a junior high school in Lansing, MI and also served as the Cheerleading Coach for the Junior Varsity and Varsity squads at the same school.

I then worked as the Youth and Aquatic Director at the Lansing Central YMCA and was the adult advisor to the YMCA Leaders Club program for 12-18 year old students who volunteered in YMCA classes and events. I also helped staff the Great Lakes Regional YMCA Leaders Club events.

Between 1986-2001 I took about a 15 year break from working with youth (3 years in corporate health promotion; 9 years in older adult services at a hospital; 1 year in graduate school; 2 years in hospital organizational effectiveness).

Eight years ago I got involved in youth mentoring where I met Chelsea when she was 11 years old. I expanded my mentoring role to include working with 12-18 year old students in a faith-based setting and also have been a repetitive volunteer at local Challenge Day programs at middle and high schools.

Most recently I have assisted with a local 'Teen Leadership' program at a local high school as an adult Coach/Mentor to a small group of upperclassmen who each mentor a small group of 9th graders to support them during their first year in high school. I also assist with a lunch time, drop-in program called the 'Empowerment Zone' which allows students to talk about topics that matter to them in an environment that supports them.

Working with young people in a mentoring capacity has dramatically changed my life and completely rewritten my career path.

Remember the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child”? Chelsea and I invite YOU to pick a child in your ‘village’ and take her (or him) under your wing. Thank you!

Paula C. Dirkes

Solid Pathways Consulting, LLC