Winning Futures – Inspiring and preparing youth to succeed through mentoring.

Archive for the ‘Student Stories’ Category

Winning Futures didn’t just change my life, it saved it. I went from the brink of dropping out to being all year Honor Roll my senior year.  After high school I used the tools and techniques that I was given by the program to not just secure employment, but to thrive in my position. Now I work in New Business Development for an international industrial supplier with strong viable aspirations for the future. I would not have been to get this far in life had it not been for the support of Winning Futures!

 Joe Owens – Winning Futures Alumni

My Winning Futures mentor is the definition of support system.  She was always motivating and inspiring not just our mentoring group, but everyone around her.  She has showed us that any future we desire is obtainable through hard work, education, and persistence.  She made me believe in myself.

-2011 Warren Mott High School Graduate

Not only did my Winning Futures mentor teach me numerous skills for my future and how to efficiently function in the workplace, he also taught me the most important life lesson; you’re only as happy in life as you allow yourself to be.

-2011 Cousino High School Graduate

Winning Futures encourages its students and mentors to write letters and emails to each other. This helps with bonding and open communication. We teach students about professional communication and the importance of thank you letters and words of appreciation. This communication with an adult can help students prepare for the professional world of work.

Below is an email sent to Regina Goodman, a Winning Futures mentor:

Our Harper Woods partner program recently took a College tour. The goal was to expose students to the benefits of continuing education and to get students excited about their future education and career goals. This trip, for many of the students, was their first time on a college campus and I think our goal was accomplished!

During the event, students went on a peer-guided tour highlighting important campus offices such as financial aid and admission, as well as the student union, campus bookstore and library. The students not only got to witness the academic environment, they also got a great “snapshot” of the social environment that college life offers.

Winning Futures Mentee with Mentor

Ever since I joined the Winning Futures Program, I have learned better values and how to be a better me.  More and more students these days are misguided and need someone to help guide them when their parents are not there all the time.  They are not pushed to their full potential or there is something holding them back, like family problems.

~Rani, 12th grade Winning Futures Student