By Brandon Seng
ConnectMichigan Alliance

Dreams are important to Albion College and the community it serves.  To ensure that those dreams are attainable, the Jessie’s Gift mentoring program matches college students with fourth and fifth graders in the public school system there.

“As you meet with your student,” fifth grade teacher Eric Petro instructed mentors, “their dreams are there.  You are providing guidance to ensure that those dreams are more apt to happen.”

Jessie Longhurst, for whom the program is named, was lost to Albion tragically in a car accident more than a year ago.

 Jessie is remembered as a terrific dreamer, one who served her community with both tact and grace.  She constantly gave her time to support mentoring, and other programs that served Albion’s young people.

“I can not think of a better way to remember a child, than by benefiting the children of many,” said Larry Ley, Albion Public School’s superintendent.

Locally Jessie worked hard in the area of mentoring.  She became the youngest-ever Healing of Racism counselor at Starr Commonwealth, where she worked to break down racial and ethnic stereotypes and barriers. 

She hoped to continue helping others and dreamed of someday becoming Albion Colleges’ President, then Governor.

“Jessie was a girl with big dreams,” said her mother, Lynn Longhurst in a speech to program mentees.  “Now, these dreams can not come true for her, but they can come true for you.”

Leading up to the tragic accident in which Jessie was lost, she had participated as the only high school mentor in a developing Albion College mentoring program under Professor Len Berkey.  She continued her involvement when she officially entered Albion College as a student.

After news spread of Jessie’s accident, Berkey immediately sought to change the name of his program to Jessie’s Gift, in remembrance of Jessie’s contributions to the students of Albion.

Jessie’s Gift has since grown, and continues to provide a service that is both beneficial, and necessary in the preservation of Albion dreams. 

Pairing college students with local forth and fifth graders, relationships are forged among two very different groups within Albion city limits.

Students are responding well, with improved behavior and higher grades.  Fourth grade mentees are described by their teacher as being territorial when it comes to their mentors.

“The children are very fond of their mentors, and have grown quite attached to them,” said Bernice Wyrick, fourth grade teacher at Washington Gardner Elementary.  “If the mentors can’t make it or will be late for an appointment, they will make arrangements so their mentees won’t be let down.”

Anyone who comes into contact with the mentoring program in Albion can not speak enough on how driven and motivated the mentors are.

Harry Bonner Sr. is the director of Minority Program Services in Albion.  He team teaches Psychology 402 with Professor Barbara Keyes, one of two Jessie’s Gift courses.  Bonner is inspired by the response from the college students.

“As busy as Albion students are, it is amazing to see the amount of energy, heart and dedication that they bring to the program.”

Through trainings, group discussions and an annual visit by the Longhursts, the class is given a sense of who Jessie was, what why they are doing what they are doing.

Albion mentor and friend of Jessie’s, Chad Eckert, feels the program is doing an adequate job in representing her.  Staying connected in Albion and continuing growth, he pointed out, are needed to carry out her vision.

When asked about their experience, almost all of the mentors first pointed out that they feel they are getting more out of the program than their grade school counterparts.  They put community involvement and social impact near the top of their list of achievements gained through Jessie’s Gift. 

“The program is very rewarding,” said mentor Cheryl Becker, “it is worth more than just the grade.”

Jessie’s Gift mentors are excited to see the immediate results of their involvement, and most plan to pursue mentoring after graduation.

Through this program, Jessie continues to touch lives and reach out to the youth.  Her classmates and friends are beginning to understand where her passion was derived, and are discovering a similar greatness within themselves.

“I can make a difference in the neighborhood,” said Psychology 402 student Brittany Westbrook.  “I can keep them out of trouble.”

Jessie’s Gift classes require students to make huge time commitments to meet with their mentees throughout the year.  This time, however, proves not to be enough for Albion’s motivated group.

According to school teachers, mentors almost always seek venues to connect with their child outside of the classroom.  Students are making strong overtures to become an element of the family.

“Many of these mentors have come through the Albion school system,” said Eric Petro.  “It’s heartwarming to see them giving back. They are learning a lot about life, very quickly.”

Not only has mentoring produced a more engaged college population, it has also given Albion a chance to make positive impressions on their future citizens.  To improve young people and their feelings of self will ultimately improve the workforce there in the future.

Albion’s Sociology 402 course, a Jessie’s Gift seminar highlights course mission and vision.  The syllabus uses language rarely seen at the college level, which demonstrates Albion’s commitment to Jessie’s dreams, and the dreams of their children.

“Jessie’s passion, wisdom, energy, generosity and incredible sense of humor, along with her heartfelt commitment to racial justice in America, are the benchmarks against which we will be measured.  Her dedication to the Albion community and its children was truly a gift to us all.”

More information about Jessie’s Gift, and the service-learning courses that support it can be found online at www.albion.edu.