Mentor Connection Team

Our Mentor Connection Team is headed by two highly qualified and dedicated women who have a passion for working with children.  If you would like to speak with them or have any questions about our Mentor Connection program, you can email them directly or call 248.592.2317 or email mentoring@jfsdetroit.org.

Alison Orley

Alison received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Michigan State University in 2006.  After working in the healthcare field for a year, she went on to study for her Masters Degree in Social Work at Wayne State University.  As a graduate student, she worked as an intern at Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit doing individual counseling.  After graduating with her Masters degree, she obtained her position as Program Coordinator of the Mentor Connection program at JFS.

Sherri Gerber-Somers
Sherri received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Michigan State University. She then continued her education obtaining her Masters in Social Work from The University of Michigan. She has extensive experience working with high risk children and teenagers. Her specialties include sexual, physical and emotional abuse in addition to helping families strengthen and grow. She has been a therapist, clinical director and director within various child welfare agencies. She has also taught Masters level classes at The University of Michigan. Sherri is excited to be the new Director of the Family Life Center, which includes the Mentor Connection Program. She strongly believes that mentors can change the lives of young people and has seen the difference that a positive role model can make.

Alison feels passionate that mentoring is a proactive and effective modality to help improve the lives of youth in the community.  She feels privileged to have the opportunity to work with Mentor Connection and the participants and volunteers who are involved with it.