Best Buy & Kids 'n Kinship team up to teach teens in the Tech Mentor program

On April 3^rd, 13 of our Kids ‘n Kinship teens each with their own coach, attended the first of three sessions for our new Tech Mentor Program.   Funded by Best Buy, these teens will attend classes that will teach them how to use a digital camera with video, how to upload, edit, post photos to social media, and how to make a slideshow or video.   Teens who complete the classes will be able to keep the cameras.  The skills they learn will assist them in their middle school and high school classes as well as in their social life and into future jobs.  The class is taught by a past mentee of the program who loves technology and is now a college graduate and a Best Buy employee.  The kids, volunteers and staff are all excited about this new project!

Guest Blog by Rita: Fun at Shamrock Skate!

Have you ever seen a teen teaching their adult mentor how to ice skate?  Watching kids and adults fall on the ice and get right back up to try again. We experienced these and more as well as delicious treats and great company at the Shamrock Skate provided by Thrivent Financial, on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th. Kids ages 5-16 joined their mentors, families, friends  and community members at the Burnsville Ice Center.  The skating  arena was full of laughter and trials as experienced and novice skaters hit the ice. A great time was had by all! We often hear potential volunteers saying they want to share their experiences, knowledge & interests with mentees.  When they become mentors, they discover that  they often learn from their mentees as much or more! The personal growth and fun experiences are both wonderful benefits, among many, of mentoring a child. Connect with Kids ‘n Kinship to learn more about mentoring in your own community.  www.kidsnkinship.org

Already miss holiday shopping? Take this 13 y.o. out for shopping & to chat!

In honor of January being National Mentoring Month, Kids 'n Kinship is posting a waiting child each week here on our blog.  Please consider mentoring a child!  We have almost 40 kids waiting for an adult, couple, or family to befriend them!

First name:  Phoenix

Age:  13

Interests:  Phoenix likes shopping and talking - at school she likes life science and math.  She also likes crafts, music and visiting.

Personality/Characteristics:  She struggles with peer pressure and makes friends easily.  Her single parent mom is looking for a mentor Phoenix can look up to and trust and who can give her daughter positive guidance and the opportunity for activities.

Goals/Dreams:  Phoenix is in 8th grade and would like a mentor to hang out with, go out to eat and watch all kinds of movies!

For more information: Phoenix is waiting for a mentor through Kids n’ Kinship. To learn more about us, go to our website at www.kidsnkinship.org. We have information sessions every few weeks - the next one is January 10, 6:00-6:45 pm at the Wescott Library in Eagan.  To RSVP contact Rita Younger 651-686-0990 or rykinship@aol.com. Join us!

To learn more about National Mentoring Month: go to www.nationalmentoringmonth.org

Help Derek apply for jobs and colleges!

I met this young man recently and was struck by how mature he is, as he is asking for help applying to colleges and getting a job.  He really cares about his family and since his dad died, he tries to be the man of the house.  However, he is a bit socially isolated with his peers because they just don't understand him.  He really needs an adult friend, couple or family who understands loss to hang out with and have fun outside the house.  Could you be a friend to Derek?  All it takes is just being there for a youth in need.

First name:  Derek 

Age:  16

Interests:  He enjoys playing games, watching movies, reading, cooking, & crafts.  He also loves animals and spending time with his baby cousin. He’s in 10^th grade and likes science & math. 

Personality/Characteristics:  Derek is caring and smart.  He lives with his mom and sisters and doesn’t have a guy role model in his life.

    

Goals/Dreams:  Derek wants a mentor to have an extra person to talk to.  He would like to go to the zoo, parks, bowling, mini-golf, or museums, as well as get advice on job applications, college, & cars.

Looking for: A guy mentor to hang out with and talk to.  He's open to couples or families too.

For more information about Derek or mentoring a child in Dakota County, MN, check out our website: www.kidsnkinship.org or attend our next information session on Tuesday Dec. 4, 6:00-6:45 pm at the Burnhaven Library in Burnsville.