Melissa DeMarse
Melissa was born and raised in Marquette and graduated from Northern Michigan University in December 2004 with a degree in Business Management. Following graduation, Melissa moved to the Chicago area and studied at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School graduating with a degree in Counseling Psychology in 2007.
Throughout her career in mental health counseling, Melissa has worked with runaway and homeless youth and their families, providing crisis stabilization. She worked for five years with Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital in Hoffman Estates, Illinois performing mental health and substance abuse level of care assessments in the emergency rooms behavioral health hospital and medical facilities. Melissa relocated back to Marquette in May of 2012 and began working as a Primary Counselor for Great Lakes Recovery Adult Residential Center. As a Primary Counselor her duties included individual, family and group counseling for clients struggling with Addiction.
In October 2013 Melissa was hired by the YMCA of Marquette County to implement a nationally recognized mentoring program for youth called the Reach & Rise Therapeutic Mentoring Program. The Reach & Rise Program connects youth ages 6-17 with positive adult role models for one year. Some youth may be struggling with emotional and social challenges. As a professional mental health counselor, Melissa recruits and trains volunteer mentors to provide direct one-to-one mentoring services and create safe, healthy and meaningful relationships with these youth. Mentors and mentees participate in service projects, field trips and other engaging activities.
Programs like Reach & Rise depend very much on the support of the community. Melissa says, “I am very thankful to be involved with 40 Below and grateful for their recognition and support of investing in our youth. I am extremely excited for the inaugural Iron Range Roll on Saturday, June 7, sponsored by 40 Below to support the Reach & Rise Program!”