Macomb proclaims January 2026 Mentoring Month; new firefighter sworn in

Mayor Michael J. Inman proclaimed January 2026 as Mentoring Month for the City of Macomb and recognized volunteers from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Macomb and McDonough County during the Committee of the Whole meeting.

The proclamation cited research showing that children engaged in one-to-one mentoring are more likely to graduate from high school and avoid delinquent behavior and encouraged “citizens, businesses, public and private agencies, and religious and educational institutions to support mentoring and give young people in our community the gift of time and friendship through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program of Macomb and McDonough County,” Inman said.

Volunteers described the personal impact of mentoring. Tanner, a long-serving volunteer, said he had mentored multiple “littles” over many years and called the program “a wonderful organization” and “a win win thing.” Madeline Weiss, who said she was matched with her mentee, LaVeya Jones, on Nov. 20, 2025, described lunches and attending a recent basketball game with her match and said, “I’m able to do this and just see how I like I just see I like to see her smile.”

Inman also noted that executive director Sarah Baca was present and recognized a volunteer surnamed Rhodes for recent recognition at a Big Brothers Big Sisters anniversary event.

The meeting included a swearing-in ceremony for Madison Allen. Chief Meyer introduced Allen’s background, noting her criminal-justice degree (2023), completion of a fire academy, firefighter basic operations certification and EMT license; Allen then repeated the oath of office and said she was “excited to give back to the community.”

No council action was required for the proclamation or the swearing-in; both were ceremonial recognitions conducted during the committee meeting.