Mentor Connection Making a Difference for Kids and Adults Alike
The Jewish Family Service program has helped at-risk youth since 2005, but faces difficulty due to government restructuring and economic hardship.
When they met for the first time at a local coffee shop last winter, Betsy Bodker and Kiki both seemed to be guarding their expectations for each other. Kiki, an 8-year-old from Southfield who has four brothers and sisters, shyly held on to her mother's arm as they spoke. Betsy, 45, of Pleasant Ridge, simply hoped that the two could connect in somewhat of the terrific way that she does with her three neices. Instead, they found deep, unique and valuable friendship — exactly what the Mentor Connection program that put them together hopes to achieve. "I did not expect to have the warmth for this little girl and the desire to be with her as much as I do," Bodker said. "I used to say that I could only see her twice per month 2-4 hours every …
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