Courtesy photo Local youth are pictured attending a recent Safe Sitter® course hosted at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena where they learned safety skills for being home alone and babysitting.

ALPENA – Thirty-seven students ages 11 to 13 recently spent a full day building confidence, leadership and lifesaving skills during a Safe Sitter® course hosted by the Educational Services and Development Department at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. Thanks to generous support from donors to the MyMichigan Health Foundation, scholarships were available for participants in need and lunch was provided to all students, making the session accessible, educational and enjoyable.

Safe Sitter® is a nationally recognized program designed to prepare teens and pre-teens to be safe, responsible and capable when caring for younger children. The Alpena class offered a highly interactive experience, blending hands-on practice, guided discussions, role playing and games to keep students engaged throughout the day.

Participants explored child development basics, practiced diapering and learned behavior management strategies to help them stay in control and create a positive environment for children in their care. A highlight for many was practicing choking rescue techniques on both infant and child manikins.

To prepare students for real babysitting jobs, instructors also guided them through job screening, setting fees, communicating with employers and greeting families professionally. Role playing activities helped them build confidence in these new responsibilities.

Throughout the day, instructors used a variety of teaching strategies — hands-on demonstrations, skills practice, games and review questions — to reinforce key concepts and ensure students could apply what they learned in real life.

Reflecting on the day, Katie Torok, specialist, Educational Services and Development, shared, “It’s inspiring to watch these students grow more confident as the day goes on. They take learning these skill sets seriously, they support one another in learning and they leave feeling ready and capable. That confidence is something they’ll carry with them far beyond babysitting.”

Ann Diamond, director, MyMichigan Health Foundation, emphasized the Foundation’s commitment to supporting programs like this, noting, “Investing in youth education strengthens our entire community. When young people gain skills that empower them to act responsibly and safely, everyone benefits. We’re proud to help make opportunities like this accessible to local families.”

This Safe Sitter® session reflects MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena’s ongoing commitment to supporting youth development and community safety. With the help of the MyMichigan Health Foundation, local students gained valuable skills they can use now and throughout their lives.

The Development Fund at MyMichigan Health Foundation supports patients and families by raising funds for equipment, services and programs for MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. Those interested in more information about the fund or MyMichigan Health.