“When I heard Kids Hope was starting Kids Hope USA Next, I knew we needed to at least try. When many of our students graduated to middle school, I felt like they were being abandoned. Middle school comes with its own set of challenges and I knew some of our students were not ready to experience these challenges alone. Many were still having issues and stated that they wished their mentor could follow them to their new school. I saw this as an opportunity.

In spring of 2003 our middle school was going through a staff transition including a new principal. With all the new changes, contact with the principal was almost impossible. The principal from our elementary school was key in helping us get into the middle school. Because of her efforts, a meeting was organized with the middle school principle and counselors to hear about KHUSA Next. They liked what they heard and allowed us in.

My assessment that our students still needed guidance was proven. Many of our students now in middle school displayed discipline issues, however it’s believed by the counselors and me that if their mentors were not there, circumstances would have been worse. With their mentors help, their grades and behavior have shown steady improvement.

At the end of last year, I was pulled into the middle school’s head counselor’s office. She said, “I’ve seen mentoring organizations come and go, but I’ve never seen one like yours. It’s obvious your mentors have a close relationship with these kids. These kids honestly want to be with their mentor and their mentor with them. I want you to know how much you all are appreciated here.”  I left that day knowing the decision to start KHUSA Next was the right one.

If any Kids Hope USA programs are considering extending their program to KHUSA Next, I would highly recommend it.  Even if at first it seems you are not welcomed, as the middle school administration learns of the program and sees the changes take place in the students’ lives, they will think differently. Middle school teachers and staff are under appreciated. Baked goods every now and then are greatly appreciated and help to warm their hearts.  The impact we are having not only with our students but also the school staff makes it worth it all.”

The post From a KHUSA director aware of the challenges middle school students face: “I knew some of our students were not ready to experience these challenges alone.” appeared first on Kids Hope USA.

This story was submitted by our friends at Lima Community Church of the Nazarene in Lima, OH.

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This story was submitted by our friends at Greeley Wesleyan Church in Greeley, CO.

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My Mentor is GREAT because…

1. We play all day and she teach me to do the monkey bars.
2. We read together.
3. He is really funny.
4. He is good at sports and nice.
5. She helps me with stuff I need to work on and because we play games together.
6. He helps me learn my school-work.
7. She does not get mad when I beat her at games and we eat pizza.
8. She is kind and nice. She helps me. She is fun.
9. She is really nice, special to me, helpful when I’m frustrated, a good tutor, and always proud of me.
10. She helps me with work that Mrs. Cunningham gives me.
11. She teaches me to obey.
12. She’s generous, fun and helpful!
13. She is a wonderful lady, nice, kind, sweet, and beautiful! She is the kind of person that I love.
14. He cares about me because he talks to me and we get to do stuff.
15. He taught me that it’s important to be nice. When I grow up I want to be helpful to kids too.
16. He is cool, nice, sweet, friendly, and happy. He is the kind of person who is very giving.
17. He is like a dad to me!
18. She taught me that I should get an education, have good friends, and be a nice gentleman!
19. He treats me kindly.
20. We go outside and talk.

The post 20 Reasons My Mentor is Great! (Part 1) appeared first on Kids Hope USA.

That’s new… kids referring kids!”

This story was submitted by our friends at Converse Church of Christ in Converse, IN.

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“Our pastor had declared a “Summer of Service” and we were all asked to find ways to serve others in our community, showing God’s love through our actions.We took on one project for the whole congregation to do together, along with our individual ideas.  We had asked our Kids Hope partner school if they needed us for a big job.  They were trying to get their school gymnasium painted, which was very much needed.  So plans were made and Vienna Baptist showed up in force with paint brushes and scrapers in hand.  In one day, the gymnasium took on a fresh new look and all those who participated took pride in a job well done for their community school.  The school was thrilled with the results and the bond in our relationship is now stronger.”

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This story was submitted by our friends from East Shore Baptist Church in Harrisburg, PA.

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This testimonial was submitted by Karen Claunch KHUSA director for Crosby United Methodist Church in Crosby, TX.

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This testimonial was submitted by Steve Whitney, KHUSA Director for Central Wesleyan Church in Holland, MI. 

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1) They act as a confidante for the mentor. Someone who can be trusted to keep confidential information confidential, but with whom the mentor can share their thoughts.

2) They are intentional. Prayer partners are specific as they pray for their mentoring match.

3) They encourage mentors to be faithful. They ensure their mentor sticks with it, even when their student won’t talk to them for months.

4) They can be great listeners. When a mentor shares their student’s struggles with inattentiveness and the mentor’s own frustrations with how to reach the student through it, the prayer partner still listens.

5) They are selfless; meeting for coffee, answering phone calls, and responding to their mentors needs and prayer requests.

6) They celebrate with you! Even the littlest things matter to them; Johnny couldn’t sit still at all, but now he can sit still for 2 minutes is a huge deal!

7) They change constantly so their prayers reflect the needs of a little girl or boy who may be struggling to find friends or who has a math test tomorrow.

8) They are like a secret friend. The student may not even know they are there or exist, but they feel the comfort and peace that only comes when someone is praying specifically for you.

9) They pray. Even when it seems like no progress is being made and their student is still going to the principal’s office every a week.

10) They are or become great friends – the kind that will stick by your side no matter what – like Frodo and Sam.

11) Their prayers can be all-encompassing. Not only do they pray for their KHUSA student, but also for the school, church, and community as well.

12) They care enough. Even though they’ve never met the child, they care enough to spend at least an hour – usually more – praying and thinking about this little person.

13) They help make miracles happen. Every week they drop everything they are doing to cover a specific child and mentor in prayer.

14) They can provide wise counsel to the mentor when it is needed.

15) They can embrace the child’s reality without having to fix everything – knowing they are still being heard.

16) They are able to respond quickly to a mentor. They are always just an email or phone call away.

17) They are able to see the bigger picture. Not just what happens during the hour, but the story of a child’s life as it unfolds.

18) They are another advocate for the child; someone else who provides support in an unseen way.

19) They are humble. Their stories aren’t often shared, but most mentors would tell you, it wasn’t just them that had an impact on their student’s life.

20) Their role can last a lifetime. Even after the student graduates out of Kids Hope USA, the prayer partner can still be praying – and many do.

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