Kid's Hope 09

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KOREAN CONGREGATION

Will you PLEASE be my mentor again next year?” Bonnie McKenzie’s student friend Michelle asked hopefully at their last Kid’s Hope mentoring session last spring. She was delighted with Bonnie’s “yes” and Bonnie was thrilled with her question. Many mentors had similar questions from their student friends. Mentors reported about each session all year with comments such as these: “She is delightful and excited about everything. I enjoy working with her,” from Jan McCune. “He was proud of “Good day” note from his teacher,” from Marty Kendrick. And this from Jerry Rushton, “Ronald was surprised I could run so fast and make baskets.” School bells are about to ring. Even though the summer seemed to fly by, First Pres Kids Hope mentors are excited about meeting with our school friends again. Our church is a partner with South View Elementary in this mentoring program that partners a church volunteer with an at-risk elementary school child for a weekly one-on-one session in the child’s school. The one-hour sessions include relationship building and academic work. The objectives are to improve positive behaviors and academic achievement through building a positive relationship with a caring adult.

This proven ministry was begun fourteen years ago in Michigan with three schools. Now schools in 32 states are involved with over 7,000 children. A recent evaluation of Kids Hope, USA by a Social Science Research Center using data from teachers indicated highly significant improvement in behavior, self confidence, motivation and academic achievement for 99.6% of children involved in the Kids Hope program. We have seen that happening with the children we work with and it’s such a joy. The comments above from First Pres mentors show something of the joy and satisfaction the mentors find as they truly make a difference in a child’s life. The mentoring makes a difference in the mentor’s life also Last year we had fourteen First Pres volunteers matched with seven second-grade and seven thirdgrade students at South View. Eight volunteers were substitute mentors (and we couldn’t do it without the subs). Each mentorstudent match was also supported by a First Pres prayer partner. We don’t go into the schools to evangelize with words, but to show God’s love with our actions, to carry Christ’s love out into the community. Jesus’ transforming love shines out in our mentors’ smiles and loving care.
HERE’S GOOD NEWS FOR You! We need more volunteers to match with the new second graders as last year’s volunteer mentors plan to continue with their students on into the third and fourth grade. We also need more substitutes and more prayer partners—all are necessary for the success of this program.

Here is your opportunity to be part of this very effective, very satisfying program a tangible way of spreading God’s love in
the community and helping to bring forth the Kingdom of God.
You’ll be glad you did.

For more information please call me at the church (289-4431).
It’s always a joy to talk about Kids Hope.
With love,
Pastor Carrie Jo