Dearborn, Michigan

In the photo Thomas Neimann, Office of the Executive Chairman; Yvette Bonner, Volunteer of the Month; Kristina Marshall, President and CEO, Mentoring Solutions.

Yvette Bonner may be relatively new to volunteering but she puts her whole heart into it. That dedication earned her Mentor of the Year recognition at Mentoring Solutions and now Volunteer of the Month honors from Ford.

A Gleason Press operator at the Ford Sterling Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich., Bonner volunteers at the Ford Academy in Highland Park through Mentoring Solutions, a nonprofit organization that connects students with adults who teach them self-reliance, personal responsibility and goal setting.

"I always wanted to give back to my community because I was born and raised (in Highland Park), and I wanted to encourage the children, to let them know that they can be whoever they want to be," Bonner said.

Laurie Tarter of Mentoring Solutions, who nominated Bonner for the Ford Volunteer of the Month award, said the stories she told the students about growing up in Highland Park were inspirational, and the kids admire her as a role model. Tarter also said it's most unusual for someone to be named Mentoring Solutions Mentor of the Year after just one year, but that Bonner has several qualities that made her stand out.

She said once Bonner saw the impact the program has on students she asked what else she could do to help. "She recruited mentors, put out flyers and talked at her church," Tarter said. "When she learned we needed African-American male mentors, she went on a personal crusade to accomplish that."

Bonner's dedication showed in other ways as well, said Tarter. "Every holiday she brought something in for every student in the program, not just her girls, but all 37 students."

Bonner meets with three students once a week during the school year. They also write each other regularly, with Bonner reinforcing the lessons in her letters. Bonner said she most enjoys watching the 8-year-olds blossom. "I love seeing them grow from the beginning of the year to the end -- to see them retain what I try to instill in them."

A number of the lessons focus on strengthening character values by examining such topics as bullying, cheating, gossiping, being mean and breaking promises. How Bonner imparts those lessons helps the children improve academically. "There are books for each lesson the mentors can read to the students. I'll read a page and then let the students take turns reading out loud. They'll help each other if one is struggling with a word." Bonner said the students also write out how they would approach various situations.

Volunteers to the program are asked to make at least a three-year commitment. One of the appealing parts of that commitment is that she will be able to continue working with the same students, provided they continue with the program.

Tarter is impressed by Bonner's enthusiasm, energy and passion for the program. "She just really is a shining light."

Many people feel as though they get more out of volunteering than they put in, and Bonner is no exception. "It's such a joy to walk into that room and see the kids' faces light up."

The Ford Volunteer Corps was founded in February 2005 by Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman, Bill Ford. The company's first Volunteer of the Month was named in August of that year.