Meet Michael Jones | Mentor, Father, & Community Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, what matters most to you?
Mentorship. It is literally the building block of all that we as human beings do. Everything we do as a social species is learned, whether directly taught or picked up through observation, so we do nothing without it being demonstrated to us. It is those experiences that dictate how we interact with others throughout our lives. It is important that we as mentors make sure we help to dispel unnecessary pain through trial and error for the generations to come.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always worked with youth in one capacity or another. Growing up I felt split between separate worlds as I was the only product of my parents regardless of household. Being the oldest sibling but meshing experiences was a difficult task at a young age. Through this with the help of my maternal grandmother, who took time to check in with me consistently, I began to realize that safe space to speak to and process experiences was a necessity for young people. From then on I always knew I wanted to be an ear for young people. As life progressed, dreams of the NFL became unrealized, college aspirations took a backseat, immaturity led to poor financial decisions and at 23 I was living on Grandma’s couch, with hopes of going back to school but no idea how to do it. I met a young woman (my now wife) who I wanted to help, we were on similar paths and as we were getting to know each other she moved away, which made me have to make a choice, stay complacent on the couch or move (literally) out of my comfort zone. After moving to this new zone of discomfort otherwise known as Billings, Montana I had tragedy strike. My 19-year-old brother passed away and my wife stepped in to be a rock for me that I didn’t know I needed or had. Being at my brother’s funeral and seeing the impact he had on so many people in such a short lifetime changed me. It forced me to grow up mentally. I married my wife, went back to school online, became a father, and began to realize the impact I was having on the people around me. My wife and I began on a spiritual journey of discovering the Hebrew roots of the Christian faith with Rabbi Ralph Messer and STBM, where I began to see the principles of Torah and how they apply to life and where I can apply them to my work with young people. I began to see that everywhere in my life I needed the support around me to move forward, I saw where I was supporting others, and those who I had failed earlier in my journey. Moving from Montana back to Washington with my family in tow, I began the process of growing up professionally and looked for opportunities to give back to my community. I began volunteering at Glover EmpowerMentoring and found a community of men and young people that felt like home. And have sense continued to help grow this community.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A few good spots to visit if you’re going to find yourself in the area, my kids love to visit Pt. Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Pike Place Market is a must, Ferry Rides, a trip to Ocean Shores to ride horses and mopeds. A trip to Moses Lake on the eastside of the state. Check out a sporting event depending on the season you’ve got the Mariners, Seahawks, Storm, Huskies. It will all make for a good time.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I personally would like to shoutout 2 communities that have played a major part in my growth as a person. Simchat Torah Beit Midrash & Glover EmpowerMentoring. My spiritual growth and understanding under the guidance of STBM has allowed me to apply what I am learning directly to the work I do at GEM!

Website: gemwa.org