Be Someone Who Matters to Someone Who Matters

Each January our nation celebrates National Mentoring Month.  Kids 'n Kinship uses this month in particular to focus on the need for mentors, as well as how each of us –individuals, businesses, local government, schools, faith communities, and non-profits –  can join together to increase the number of mentors and assure brighter futures for youth.

There is a powerful mentoring effect demonstrated by research and the experiences of young people who are connected to a mentor. Mentoring is linked to improved academic, social and economic prospects and ultimately strengthens our community.

Research has shown that when matched through a quality mentoring program, mentors can play a powerful role in providing young people with the tools to make responsible decisions, stay focused and be more engaged in school.

This same report found that one in three young people in our country will grow up without a mentor. Today in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, & Rosemount there are 63 kids on our waiting list who could benefit from having a Kinship mentor.

Mentoring relationships are basic human connections that let a young person know that they matter. Mentors frequently report back that their relationships make them feel like someone who matters in another person’s life.

As we focus on engaging more community members in volunteering as mentors, we will share a simple message: “Be Someone Who Matters to Someone Who Matters”.

Our community’s future rests on the hopes and dreams of our children and youth.

From Kinship Partners blog - http://kinshippartnersmn.wordpress.com/

For more information about mentoring and Kids 'n Kinship, go to www.kidsnkinship.org

Thank Your Mentor Day

Take a moment to think about who cared for you when you were growing up.  Was it a teacher?  A coach?  A caring neighbor? Perhaps an uncle or aunt?  Or a grandparent? Every child needs at least one caring adult to help them navigate the murky waters of childhood and the teen years.  Who helped you by believing in you?  Cheering you on in your sports or hobbies, encouraging you to work hard at school, letting you know that you matter and that you can achieve your goals in life.  I remember a kind older lady who lived down the street who always came over at Christmas and who just spent time with us when my brother & I were kids.  I also remember several teachers at school and instructors in my hobbies/sports who made a special effort to let me know they saw potential in me.  Without them I wouldn't be who I am today.

Who was your mentor? Have you ever thanked them for being so supportive of you? Now's your chance!  Thursday January 16th is National Thank Your Mentor Day.  

Think about the mentors in your life, send them a thank you card (scroll down to 3rd row to download & print) and tell them thank you on social media using #SomeoneWhoMatters. For more information on this initiative and National Mentoring Month - go to http://www.nationalmentoringmonth.org/

To become a mentor to youth in Dakota County, attend an information session on Thursday Jan. 23rd, 6-6:45 pm at Burnhaven Library in Burnsville. Learn more about Kids 'n Kinship, the local mentoring program serving youth in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville, & Rosemount for over 40 years: www.kidsnkinship.org 

January is National Mentoring Month!

January 2014 is the 13th Annual National Mentoring Month.  Today, January 9th, is National I am A Mentor Day.  All across the country people are recognizing the important role mentors play in the success of our nation's youth.  Every day, mentors in communities across our nation provide crucial support and guidance to young people. Whether a day is spent helping with homework, playing catch or listening, these moments can have an enormous, lasting effect on a child’s life. You don’t need special skills to be a mentor. You just need to listen, show that you care and share your experience.

Do you remember being mentored unofficially or officially as a child?  Thank your mentor on National Thank Your Mentor day, Thursday January 16th.  For more information on National Mentoring Month, go to: http://www.mpmn.org/Events/NationalMentoringMonth.aspx

Make a difference to a child, consider becoming a mentor to a youth in Dakota County through Kids ‘n Kinship! We are a local non-profit organization that matches kids ages 5-16 with volunteer mentors for fun and engaging weekly activities in the community. In addition to the community-based program, Kids ‘n Kinship offers school-based mentoring programs at Glacier Hills and Thomas Lake Elementary Schools in Eagan, Westview Elementary in Apple Valley, and Parkview Elementary in Rosemount.

Research has shown that when matched through a quality mentoring program, mentors can play a powerful role in providing young people with the tools to make responsible decisions, stay focused and engaged in school, and reduce or avoid risky behavior like skipping school, drug use and other negative activities. Quality mentoring relationships lead to a significant increase in a young person’s prospects for leading a healthy and productive life, strengthening families and, ultimately, our community.

All of these factors are encompassed in this year's theme Mentoring Works! Additionally, a study done by Science Daily found that for all teen students, having an adult mentor meant a 50 percent greater likelihood of attending college. After more than 41 years of serving children in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville and Rosemount, Kids ‘n Kinship has many success stories. 

Here's a few testimonials: 

“My son’s mentor is very supportive and is a great role model.  I see my son looking up to him and he is doing better in school this year” - Parent

“[Her mentor] has really made a difference in [my daughter’s] life, I’m so grateful to her!  She ‘gets’ her,” - Parent

“Our personalities are so similar, she’s just like me when I was that age.” - Mentor

“My mentee is an amazing young woman, I am really proud of her - she has a good perspective and is set to graduate this spring.”  - Mentor

“She is delightful and fun to be with!  I’m enjoy her immensely…she’s just a riot, she’s very funny!” - Mentor

“[He] has started out the school year with the most positive attitude he has ever had!” - Parent

“She is a sweet girl with a loving heart.  In addition to meeting at school, we like to bake, and do crafts in the winter.  We enjoy riding bike together during the summer and just being outside.” - School-Based Mentor

For more success stories and to read about how to started with Kids 'n Kinship, go to our website: www.kidsnkinship.org

Consider attending an information session to hear more!  Our next one is Thurs. Jan. 23rd, 6-6:45 pm - Burnhaven Library in Burnsville.  RSVP to Ingrid Henry 952-891-3885

Kids 'n Kinship Thanks Our Mentors

In honor of National Mentoring Month, the staff at Kids 'n Kinship wish to thank our mentors for their dedication:

From Ingrid Henry, Kinship Coordinator: 
"When I first interviewed for my job with Kids 'n Kinship, it seemed that mentoring was about having fun with kids.  I, too, wanted to mentor so I could go to apple orchards and corn mazes, the zoo and science museum, and all the other kid-oriented fun activities I could think of!  But after 5 years of supervising mentor matches and 4 years of mentoring a girl myself, I now know that mentoring isn't primarily about the activities.  It's about the relationship and just spending time together.  Over and over again the kids say that their favorite activities are the ones where the match just go to the mentor's home and play cards or cook together or watch a movie.  Kids are so thirsty for attention from adults, it's not about the activities.  And that's why I couldn't be more thrilled that we have so many wonderful mentors willing to offer their mentees their undivided attention and valuable time.  It really does make a difference to each and every child!"

Rita Younger, Program Coordinator, speaks about gratitude and echoes the importance of the little things:  

"I am sure many of us are nearly overcome by feelings of gratitude as we go about our days - this is very true of mentoring.  I enjoy witnessing and hearing about kids, parents, guardians and mentors and their relationships.  Sometimes, I need to pause to comprehend the intensity of mentoring. One of my favorite quotes is: 'He has taught me a lot about generosity, unselfishness, compassion for others' - and this from a mentor! From another mentor: 'I’d been thinking of all the sights we could show him, but all he wanted to do was roast marshmallow, kick the soccer ball around with my daughter, and skip rocks.  It made me appreciate those little things we take for granted.  It is so much fun to be matched with him.' Year round, but particularly during National Mentoring month, I am grateful for the wonderful mentors and mentees in my life!"

Kids ‘n Kinship’s Director, Jan Belmore comments on the big picture:  

"Mentors are the backbone of our organization and without them, we would be unable to accomplish our mission.  Over the years, I have been blessed to meet so many great people and I am humbled to see the dedication and enthusiasm they bring to their mentoring.  We are deeply grateful to all who call a child their friend in our program."

So, THANK YOU MENTORS!

To learn more about kidsnkinship, go to 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