With the new grass, the buds on the trees, and the year's first Daffodils, spring has arrived! And spring is a great time of year to get started in mentoring! Kids ‘n Kinship matches youth with adult mentors (individuals, couples, and families) for meaningful, enjoyable, and enriching in-person interactions such as planting a garden, throwing a football, taking cooking classes, or going to a museum, zoo, play, or sports event. Youth get an opportunity to go places, to try new things, to build on their interests and hobbies. They learn how to build a friendship, get help with homework, are encouraged to pursue their dreams and are given the tools and resources to make those dreams a reality. Don’t get me wrong, mentoring isn’t always easy or fun – sometimes there are tremendous challenges in building the trust and bond crucial to a successful mentoring match. Mentors must be patient and persistent. Youth have to want the mentoring relationships. Parents have to help support the relationship and keep communication lines open. But it’s so worth it. Few factors are so notable in a child’s ability to develop the resiliency needed to overcome the struggles of life as a teenager in today’s world as having an extra caring supportive adult in their life.
Be a friend. Be a mentor. Go to www.kidsnkinship.org today to get started.
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