Like this warm weather? Spring is the perfect time to get started mentoring!

Like fishing, swimming, and spending time outdoors?  Like you, many kids can't wait to get outside!  Be a friend to a child age 5-16 and include them as you do your hobbies and sports.  

Below is one child out of the 61 who are currently waiting for mentors with Kids 'n Kinship.

First name:  Jack

Age:  9

Interests:  Jack enjoys going to parks, swimming, fishing, legos, puzzles, and playing with dogs. He also likes building things, floor hockey, basketball, and football and is a Packers fan. He would also like to go to Grandslam or to volunteer at an animal shelter with a mentor.

Personality/Characteristics:  He is smart, fun to be around, and likes to make jokes. Jack lives with his mom, younger brother, & step-dad.  His biological dad is not in his life.  He is looking for an individual mentor preferably with a dog to spend time with him.

Goals/Dreams:  Jack would like to become a police officer.

For more information on Kids 'n Kinship, go to www.kidsnkinship.org.  We have volunteer applications, child profiles, success stories, as well as date of upcoming information sessions to learn more.  The next information session will be March 23, 6-6:45 pm at the Wescott Library in Eagan.  RSVP to Rita rykinship@aol.com

Kids 'n Kinship Participants Had a Blast at the Pool Party!

49 Kids 'n Kinship youth, mentors, and their families attended the Pool Party at the MN Valley YMCA last Sunday, Nov. 2nd.  They enjoyed swimming in the pool, doing a craft, and some scrapbooking.  Youth also were able to pick out several books from a generous donation by Barnes & Noble!  Thanks to our sponsor Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for providing such a fun event!

For more information on Kids 'n Kinship and youth mentoring in Dakota County, go to www.kidsnkinship.org.  Our calendar lists dates for upcoming information sessions - the next one is Thurs. Nov. 20th, 6-6:45 pm at the Wescott Library in Eagan.  

Can you help Maggie navigate the murky waters of the teen years?

Kids 'n Kinship has nearly 50 youth waiting for mentors in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville and Rosemount.  Heading into the new year, would you consider spending time once a week with a teen or child?  All it takes is a desire to be their friend, someone they can count on and have fun with.  You can even mentor with your spouse or family.

Here’s one of the youth waiting for that special friend:

First name:  Maggie

Age:  14

Interests:  Maggie is a huge fan of the band One Direction.  She also loves swimming, biking, doing crafts, going to parks, and visiting historical museums. She loves animals, though she only has a fish for a pet. She misses her cat and would love a mentor with a cat, dog, or turtle as a pet.

Personality/Characteristics:  Maggie is sweet and a little shy. She lives with her grandparents and is looking forward to having a mentor individual or couple to have someone else to talk to and hang out with.

Goals/Dreams:  Her wishes are to live with her sister and to have her cat back.

Looking For: An individual or couple, preferably with pets, to help her with friendship skills and self-confidence.

For more information: Maggie is waiting for a mentor through Kids n’ Kinship. To learn more about mentoring Maggie or another child contact Kids n’ Kinship at www.kidsnkinship.org or 952-892-6368. 

Photos by DigitalArt, courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Hot during this heat wave? Befriend Jake & have fun shooting hoops indoors, swimming & going places!

 A mentor family that enjoys playing basketball

With summer in full swing, kids are eager to get outside and to be active.  During this heat wave, there are many ways kids can still be active and yet cool off, like being indoors at a gym shooting hoops, going bowling, or swimming.  This is what 10-year-old Jake wants to do - get out and have fun in the community with a mentor!  Is he waiting for you?

First name: Jake

Age:  10

Interests:  He likes football, basketball and other sports.  He also enjoys all kinds of games, swimming, bowling, skating, and going places.

Personality/Characteristics:  Jake is a fun, positive kid.  In school, his teacher calls him a fact-master, though he gets distracted & frustrated at times. His single parent mom is looking for a mentor he can look up to and get out to do activities with.

Goals/Dreams:  He would like an individual or couple mentor to do fun activities with him.  Jake’s other wishes are for a new video game for his game system and a gift for his mom.

For more information: Jake is waiting for a mentor through Kids n’ Kinship. To learn more about us, contact Kids n’ Kinship at www.kidsnkinship.org or 952-892-6368. You can also attend an information session.  Our next one is Thursday, August 1st, 6:00-6:45 pm at Burnhaven Library in Burnsville. 

True Collaborative Spirit Results in Fun for Kids!

About 90 Kids 'n Kinship participants enjoyed a fun-filled day at the Minnesota Valley YMCA in Burnsville on Sunday April 21!  Kids 'n Kinship is a private non-profit 501(c)3 organization serving Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville and Rosemount by matching children and youth with individuals, couples, and families for weekly activities at their home and in the community.  Mentors, mentees, kids on the waiting list, and their families had a blast swimming in the pool, playing floor hockey in the gym, and enjoying a tasty meal with donations from Noodles & Co. Burnsville. Rose plants were given to our volunteer mentors in appreciation of their weekly service and dedication to the children they mentor.   Kids ‘n Kinship wishes to thank Southern Dakota Scott Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for sponsoring the event!  Also thanks to Single Volunteers of the Twin Cities members who volunteered with us that day!  This annual event demonstrates true collaborative spirit in the community!  If you're interested in getting started as a mentor, attend our next information session, Wed. May 15, 6-6:45 pm at the Burnhaven Library.  To RSVP or for more information, check out our website www.kidsnkinship.org

Can't wait to spend more time enjoying the outdoors? Neither can Eddie!

Eddie is 8 years old and he enjoys being outdoors fishing, swimming, bike riding & playing football and soccer.  He also likes movies, video games, board games & playing the drums.

Eddie is friendly and talkative and eager to have fun with a mentor. His lives with his mom whose medical issues prevent her from doing as much as she’d like to with him.

He would like a mentor who loves animals, the outdoors & sports.  His wish is that world would have no more bullying!
 

Could you be the mentor for him?  To learn more, go to www.kidsnkinship.org or attend an information session.  Our next one is Tuesday April 9th, 6-6:45 pm at the Burnhaven Library in Burnsville.  RSVP to ihkinship@aol.com or 952-891-3885.  More dates listed on our website. Training & support provided.

Can't wait for the Twins Season Opener? Neither can Jack!

7-year-old Jack is waiting for a mentor who likes baseball to take him to games and spend time with him once a week.  Is he waiting for you? 

First Name: Jack

Age:  7

Interests: Jack enjoys swimming, playing tag and hide/seek, sledding and playing with hot wheels cars.

Personality/Characteristics: Jack is friendly, active and would love to go to a Twins game. He lives with his mom, sister, grandmother and great grandparents.

Goals/Dreams: Jack would like a mentor who likes baseball and art.

Jack is waiting for a mentor through Kids 'n Kinship, a non-profit organization based in Dakota County which matches individuals, couples & families with kids ages 5-16 for weekly fun and enriching activities.  Volunteer mentors support the child's interests, hobbies & schoolwork and build a positive relationship together.  For more information, go to www.kidsnkinship.org.  Attend an information session to learn more - our next one is Thursday Feb. 21st, 6-6:45 pm at the Wescott Library in Eagan.  To RSVP, call Rita at 651-686-0990.