Category: Event

Mentoring Max

April 1, 2021

Mentoring Max Activity Instructions

We know we’re Better Together and we want to see how you are staying together even while apart. Affinity Mentoring doesn’t need a physical Mentor Center to promote learning, creativity, and connection. Show us your favorite activities to do with your mentor, mentee, or family (virtually or safely + socially distanced)! Please note, anyone can participate – you do not need to be a current mentor or mentee.

There are two ways to participate, print and color your own Mentoring Max OR use our animated sticker on Instagram! To have your submission be featured in our upcoming Better Together Benefit event, your Mentoring Max must be received by an Affinity Staff member or tagged to our social media account by Friday, April 23.


Download the Mentoring Max Print Out + Instructions!



Print + Color + Cut

  1. Design your own Mentoring Max, using the template outline. Be as creative as you want!
  2. Cut out your Mentoring Max.
  3. Take a picture or video of you and Mentoring Max (at school, home, playing) – wherever you enjoy being together! 
  4. Send your picture or video to Affinity Mentoring to be featured on our Instagram. Send via:
    • Email: info@affinitymentoring.org
    • Mail: Affinity Mentoring 818 Butterworth St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
    • Social Media: For posting on social media be sure to tag @affinity.mentoring and use the hashtags #MentoringMax and #BetterTogether (must be a public post to be shared to Affinity’s page).

Animated Instagram Sticker

  1. Take a video or photo of your favorite thing to do during mentoring or an activity that is better with other people (favorite board game, playing in the park, reading books).
  2. Upload your video or picture to your personal Instagram account as a Story or Post.
  3. Be sure to Tag @affinity.mentoring and use the hashtag #MentoringMax and #BetterTogether.
  4. Add the Animated Sticker Version by going to GIF:
  • 1. Add sticker function
  • 2. Search “Affinity Mentoring”
  • 3. Add Mentoring Max to your post

Meet the Artist

Digital Artwork created by former SWCC Mentor, Pablo Castro. Pablo is a Chilean storyteller and visual artist who has written a number of film and TV scripts, and whose short stories have been published in Chile and the U.S. He now works as a freelance video animator and the director of Springboard, a translation and communication agency that helps Latin American filmmakers access opportunities abroad. See more of Pablo’s work at: castrodigitalartist.com including the animated video of Affinity!

Cuentos y Comida Event

Cuentos y Comida (Stories and Sustenance)

Disponible en español abajo

A traditional table hosted event would involve Affinity Mentoring partners participating as table hosts by inviting friends, coworkers and other acquaintances to come to the event, share a meal and listen to stories with them. This year, however, is anything but traditional. Due to COVID-19 precautions we will be holding a virtual event. Hosts will invite friends and colleagues to join them at a location of their choice to stream Affinity’s video that shares the impact of mentoring, community partnerships, and the power of relationships. Video will be available in English and Spanish.


Become an event sponsor!


Impact

As adults during this time we are experiencing heightened levels of stress, anxiety, fear, and lack of support systems; now just imagine what it must feel like to be 10 years old. During uncertain times with a lack of routine, supports, and social contacts mentoring is more important than ever for young people.

We recognize that pushing forward our traditional mentoring style creates barriers for some families, and we are deeply committed to providing equitable mentoring services at no cost to families, students, or our school partners. Therefore, this year we are adapting our mentoring program to a virtual platform for which there is a significant start-up cost (approximately 431% increase). In addition to increased operating costs, we are anticipating a shortfall of at least $30,000 due to our partnerships that are being financially affected by COVID-19.

Your participation in this event helps ensure that we are able to continue to provide high-quality mentoring and family support to students in Grand Rapids and Wyoming.


Goodie Bags

Each participant that attends a watch party in-person will receive a gift bag with treats and swag from local BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) owned businesses. The more people who attend your watch party, the more goodies everyone receives!
  • Tier 1 [2-4 people]: Affinity Mentoring pen; imentor sticker; Mosby’s Popcorn bags
  • Tier 2 [5-8 people]: Tier 1 goodies; Malamiah Juice Bar (1 bottle per person); Daddy’s Dough Cookies (2 cookies per person)
  • Tier 3 [8-10 people]: Tier 1 and tier 2 goodies; Handmade face mask from Guelaguetza Designs; Affinity Mentoring t-shirt

Join Us Live!

Date: Thursday, October 22, 2020
Tune In: [Facebook Livestream] begins at 6pm [Facebook account is not required]
Location: Your host’s location, home computer or cell phone
Cost: No registration fee[we are accepting sponsorships and donations]

RSVP ON FACEBOOK


If you’d like to be host please contact Rachel Humphreys at info@affinitymentoring.org.

Thank you to our sponsors | Gracias a nuestros patrocinadores

EQUITY PARTNER
PATROCINIO DE EQUIDAD
Available!
MENTOR SUPPORTER
PARTIDARIO DE MENTORIA
FAMILY CONNECTOR
CONECTOR DE FAMILIAS
WELLNESS ADVOCATE
ABOGADO DEL BIENESTAR


Cuentos y Comida (Stories and Sustenance en inglés)

Un evento tradicional organizado con invitados a un almuerzo involucraría a los socios de Affinity Mentoring que participan como anfitriones de la mesa al invitar a amigos, compañeros de trabajo y otros conocidos a asistir al evento, compartir una comida y escuchar historias con ellos. Este año, sin embargo, nada es tradicional. Debido a las precauciones de COVID-19, realizaremos un evento virtual. Los anfitriones invitarán a amigos y colegas a unirse con ellos en el lugar que elijan para transmitir el video de Affinity que comparte el impacto de la mentoría, las asociaciones comunitarias y el poder de las relaciones. El video estará disponible en inglés y español.


¡Conviértase en patrocinador del evento!


Impacto

Como adultos, durante este tiempo nos sentimos niveles elevados de estrés, ansiedad, miedo y falta de sistemas de apoyo; ahora imagina lo que se debe sentir al tener 10 años. En tiempos de incertidumbre con falta de rutina, apoyos y contactos sociales, la mentoría es más importante que nunca para los jóvenes.

Reconocemos que seguir con nuestro estilo tradicional de mentoría crea barreras para algunas familias, y estamos profundamente comprometidos a brindar servicios de mentoría equitativos sin costo para las familias, los estudiantes y nuestros socios escolares. Por ello, este año estamos adaptando nuestro programa de mentoría a una plataforma virtual para la que existe un coste de empieza significativo (aumento de aproximadamente un 431%). Además del aumento de los costos operativos, anticipamos un déficit de al menos $30,000 debido a nuestros socios que se ven afectados financieramente por COVID-19.

Su participación en este evento ayuda a garantizar que podamos continuar brindando mentoría y apoyo familiar de alta calidad a los estudiantes en Grand Rapids y Wyoming.


Bolsas de Regalo Con Gradas

Cada participante preregistrado recibirá una bolsa de regalo con sopresas y botines de negocios locales propiedados por personas BIPOC (negros, indígenas, gente de color) (por sus siglas en inglés). ¡Cuantas más personas asistan a su fiesta, más regalos recibirán todos!
  • Grada 1 [2-4 personas]: Bolígrafo de Affinity Mentoring; Pegatina imentor ; Bolsitas de palomitas Mosby’s 
  • Grada 2 [5-8 personas]: Las sopresas de Grada 1; Jugo de Malamiah  (1 botella por persona); Galletas de Daddy’s Dough (2 galletas por persona)
  • Grada 3 [8-10 personas]: Las sopresas de Grada 1 y Grada 2; Mascarilla de Guelaguetza Designs; Camiseta de Affinity Mentoring 

¡Únete a nosotros en vivo!

Fecha: Jueves, 22 de Octobre 22
Ver en directo: [Facebook Livestream] comienza a las 6:30pm [No se require una cuenta de Facebook ]
Location: Ubicacion de los anfitriones, su computadora o teléfono móvil
Costo: sin tarifa de registro [estamos aceptando patrocinios y donaciones]

RSVP EN FACEBOOK


Si quiere ser un anfitrione por favor contacte Rachel Humphreys al info@affinitymentoring.org.

Affinity Named “Nonprofit of the Year”

Executive Director, Laura Ward, and Site Coordinator, Rocio Moreno, accept the award on behalf of Affinity.

The Grand Rapids Chamber celebrated the 10th Year of EPIC (Entrepreneurial, Progressive, Innovative, Collaborative), the premier business award celebration that recognizes both the businesses and the individuals that foster community growth, demonstrate innovation, and have championed alongside others as mentors and collaborators in our region at 20 Monroe Live!.

Each award category recognizes those who are leading in growth and innovation, strengthening the business community, enabling collaboration and connections, and accomplishing incredible endeavors with a focus on the future.

This year, over 150 nominations were submitted for consideration. After the selection committee comprised of Grand Rapids business leaders studied the nominees’ newest initiatives, collaborative efforts, impact in the community, and philanthropic vision, 40 finalists were announced in September, and 9 recipients were honored at the EPIC Awards Celebration on Wednesday, October 30 at 20 Monroe Live, including Affinity Mentoring at the “Nonprofit of the Year!”

Executive Director, Laura Ward, accepted the award on behalf of the Affinity team, “We share this win with our 1,700+ students their families and their mentors. We know it takes all of us to lift up children through a supportive network and we’re grateful for our 30+ Community partners that invest in the life of children and sustaining this important work.”

“We’d also like to thank our partner schools, Burton Elementary, Burton Middle School, Southwest Community Campus, and Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center for inviting us to be a part of their school community and walking alongside our work,” says Laura. “Affinity Mentoring values relationships and it starts with our people – our dedicated team members and board members who bring the passion, drive, and commitment to quality mentoring. And we’re just getting started!”

Links to media coverage:

Women’s Lifestyle Magazine

MiBiz

Grand Rapids Chamber

Mars Hill Impact Tour

Join Affinity Mentoring for an evening to reflect on our journey to independence and future growth. The Mars Hill community has played a significant role in building, sustaining, and championing our mission to lift up children in a supportive network.

Come witness firsthand, the impact of your contributions of service and financial support. As a compelling force for good, we want to thank you for your devotion to the Burton families. There will be refreshments, a tour of the Burton Mentor Center, and a short presentation to share the measurable change you have made and where we’re headed next.

Date: Thursday, October 17, 2019
Time: 6pm-7:30pm
Location: Burton Elementary

RSVP HERE