Preparing for 40th Anniversary Gala Part 2: A Reason to Celebrate

Guest Blog, Jan Belmore, Executive Director

Why Celebrate?  As I look back on the years that Kids ‘n Kinship has served this community, I see so much good that the program has accomplished in our young people.  We often use the phrase “Make a difference- Mentor a child”.   Kids ‘n Kinship really DOES make a difference.  I have seen it over and over again. I have been with the program for 20 of the past 40 years.  Sufficient time to see the children grow into themselves, into confidence, into adulthood! The preventive force of mentoring is inspiring when you look at the impact on one person at a time.  Sometimes you see small changes, like a shy child that can now speak up and say if they prefer chocolate or cherry ice cream or wanting to go mini-golfing versus kite-flying. Other times, you get a chance to witness life-altering changes, like “I am going to be the first person in my family to go to college.” or “I’ve learned about how to treat people fairly.”  I truly believe in the power of mentoring and am honored to have met so many great youth and adults who engage in this affirming process, over and over.  Kids ‘n Kinship is growing our community, one relationship at a time.  Come celebrate with us and hear some of the stories.  It will be an uplifting experience sure to warm your heart!

The Kids ‘n Kinship 40^th Anniversary Celebration is September 8^th at the Crystal Lake Golf Club in Lakeville and tickets are available and can be purchase at www.kinship40th.eventbrite.com

Preparing for 40th Anniversary Gala: Part 1

*Our tree logo represents Kids’ n Kinship growing the community, one relationship at a time.   
The trunk incorporates our logo and the leaves are thumbprints that the children and mentors contributed.

With the approaching start of the school year, everyone at Kids 'n Kinship is working hard at preparing for our 40th Anniversary Gala on Sept. 8th.  We just sent out invitations to many individuals, organizations, and companies who have partnered with us over the years to allow us to continue to match qualified volunteer mentors with children in need in our community.  We are excited to see everyone who will attend, to watch the new and wonderful video made for us by Jeff Achen Videography, and to hear the stories of Carol Frick, founder of the program, and Drew Hendrickson, her original mentee who is now a successful adult, plus others.  We hope you can join us at the Gala!  To get tickets go to: kinship40th.eventbrite.com

We Need More Young Girls Like Ariana!

Kids 'n Kinship often mentions that we have many boys on the waiting list waiting for male role models.  What we don't often talk about is that we sometimes have individuals, couples or families who wait for the right mentee match too.  Typically those mentors are waiting for young girls, ages 5-10, who can be matched with families with young children.  In fact we have several mentor families waiting right now.  So if you know of a young girl in need of an additional positive role model who lives in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville, or Rosemount, let us know!

First name:  Ariana
Age:  6
Interests:  Ariana likes being outside for swimming and hiking! 
Personality/Characteristics:  She likes school, and would like a mentor who can meet with her at school during the day this fall, and get together for activities outside of school during vacations and summer.  The home life is very busy with Ariana’s three special needs siblings so the chance to get out and about is very important or Ariana.
Goals/Dreams:  Ariana is in 1^st grade. She would like a mentor who also likes art and would like to go on a nature hike, collect bugs, look at them in a jar, then set them free!
Looking For: Her parents are looking for a mentor Ariana can look up to and bond with and who will provide her the opportunity to learn about new things.
For More Information: Ariana is one of almost 50 children waiting for a mentor through Kids ‘n Kinship, a private nonprofit serving Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville and Rosemount in Dakota County for 40 years. If you're interested in becoming a mentor, you're invited to attend an information session from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Tuesday July 24 at the Wescott Library in Eagan. Mentors can volunteer as individuals, couples, or families for weekly fun and enriching activities at home or in the community on their own schedules.

Photo courtesy of finedigitalphotos.net

Have you had a mentor through Kids 'n Kinship?

Kids 'n Kinship is looking for anyone who has benefited from a mentor with us over the last 4 decades.  As we gear up for our 40th Anniversary Gala on September 8th, we want to hear stories from the community about how mentors and Kids 'n Kinship have made a positive difference in your life.  Whether you had a Kinship mentor when you were a child or your child had a mentor or you were the mentor, Kids 'n Kinship would love to hear your success stories and would love to reconnect with you!  Please contact us at 952-892-6368 or jbkinship@aol.com.  You can also find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kids-n-Kinship/111538578889292) and on the web: http://www.kidsnkinship.org/

Do crafts with Claire!

I remember as a child really enjoying creative projects and crafts. Young Claire is waiting for a school-based mentor through Kids 'n Kinship, the youth mentoring program in Dakota County. A mentor would meet with her during the school year for a half hour a day and then they could also get together for fun outings in the community over the summer and other vacations. Make a difference in the life of a child and be a friend to a young girl like Claire (or one of the other almost 50 children waiting for a mentor) today!

First name:  Claire
Age:  8
Interests:  Claire likes crafts and art, knitting, bead work and swimming and gymnastics! 
Personality/Characteristics:  She likes school, and would like a mentor who can meet with her at school (she in third grade) during the day this fall, and get together for activities outside of school during vacations and summer.
Goals/Dreams:  She would like a mentor who also likes art and would like to go to a park and play on the monkey bars!
Looking for: Her grandmother is looking for a mentor Claire can look up to and bond with and who will support her granddaughter.
For More Information: Claire is one of almost 50 children waiting for a mentor through Kids ‘n Kinship, a private nonprofit serving Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville and Rosemount in Dakota County for 40 years. If you're interested in becoming a mentor, you're invited to attend an information session from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Wednesday July 11 at the Burnhaven Library in Burnsville. Mentors can volunteer as individuals, couples, or families for weekly fun and enriching activities at home or in the community on their own schedules.

Guest Blog by Rita: A Real Fish Story

How do you detect a real fish story?  And what does it have to do with mentoring?

I am so very fortunate to have many wonderful mentor matches share stories with me.  A few months ago, I heard a fish story.  Is a fish story an exaggeration, by definition?  Well this match caught 86 fish – yeah 86. And they caught them ice fishing.  And it was the mentee’s first time ice fishing.  Soooo I’m thinking, really?  Well, the integrity of both the volunteer mentor and the teen mentee is reliable – and I have known them for 13 and 9 years, respectively – I am going with it.

This match is a joy to be around.  When I speak with them individually it is really a challenge to determine who has learned more from whom.  I like that, a lot.  Mentors tell me they sign up to give a kid some fun and opportunity.  They end up learning so much about gratitude, choices, decision making, dealing with circumstances they cannot control and joy.  That is not a fish story; it is a mentor story I have heard from male and female mentors, numerous times.

-Rita Younger, Program Coordinator, Kids 'n Kinship

Spend time outdoors with Sean!

On this beautiful day after so many days of heavy deluge and humidity and heat, I am reminded of the joys of spending time outdoors this time of year.  I can't wait to head out myself this afternoon!  Time outside is so rejuvenating and refreshing, especially for children who so often are cooped up indoors.  Statistics are scary about how much screen time today's children have.  They need more time in nature!  If you value this too, please consider sharing your time outdoors (whether it's a walk in a park, throwing a frisbee/baseball/football, or going boating or any other sport or hobby) with a child waiting for a mentor, like Sean here: 

 

Name: Sean  

Age:  13

Interests:  Sean enjoys being out in nature, biking, skateboarding and football.

Personality/Characteristics:  Sean is talkative, polite, intelligent and inquisitive.  He is a wonderful young man who is a big helper at home with his single parent mom and young sister ; he has also helped a teacher and neighbors. He is alone a lot and does not have the opportunity to do activities.  

Goals: Sean says he would like to get to know a mentor and learn from him.  Sean will be in 8^th grade this fall.

For More Information: Sean is one of almost 50 children waiting for a mentor through Kids ‘n Kinship, a private nonprofit serving Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville and Rosemount in Dakota County for 40 years. If you're interested in becoming a mentor, you're invited to attend an information session from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m. Wednesday July 11th at the Burnhaven Library in Burnsville. Mentors can volunteer as individuals, couples, or families for weekly fun and enriching activities at home or in the community on their own schedules. Contact us at 952-892-6368 or go to our website www.kidsnkinship.org.