In a classroom at Western High School in Southwest Detroit, the lessons go far beyond textbooks. Here, Life Directions—a local non-profit with decades of service—is helping students discover their purpose and power through mentorship.
“Western High School is where we have our peer motivation program that gets high school young people ready for the adult world,” said Father John Phelps, President and CEO of Life Directions. The program pairs high school peer mentors with eighth-grade students, creating a ripple effect of guidance, empathy, and leadership.
The students start as mentees, listening and learning in group sessions, and with time and growth, many step into mentor roles themselves. It’s a model rooted in peer empowerment and real-life conversations—from handling conflict to navigating career choices.
“The key is inspiration,” Father John explained. “We’ll bring up topics like history, jobs, how do you deal with gangs… all these different topics that they’re living with… we try to have them inspire each other to go deeper.”
Emmanuel Miranda, a former Life Directions student, is a testament to the program’s impact. “They really pushed us,” he said, reflecting on how the experience gave him direction and confidence. Now, he’s thriving in a career with Roman Village, a restaurant owned by Life Directions board member Patrick Rugiero.
“It’s a success story I wish we could replicate over and over,” Rugiero said.
To continue supporting and expanding its mission, Life Directions is hosting its annual Spark of Hope Gala Friday April 25th. The event celebrates the students, mentors, and community members who believe that one spark of guidance can light a future.
Click the video player above to watch the inspiring story.
