Anne Duinkerken & Barbara Joldersma, Kids Hope USA Co-Directors
Along with others in a variety of programs across the nation, we wish to recognize the contributions of our mentors this January. We also wish to recognize the prayer partners and substitute mentors, without whose support, our mentors would not be able to make the impact they do in the lives of our Vanderbilt students.
The Hope Church Kids Hope program currently has 18 committed mentors who are supported by 18 faithful prayer partners who are praying just for them and the child they mentor. We also have nine substitute mentors who help provide continuity by meeting with Kids Hope students when their personal mentor is unable to be there. Rounding out the program is a group of seven dedicated unassigned prayer partners who pray for the Hope Church Kids Hope program as a whole.
Our Kids Hope mentors are Jonathan Brownson, Paige Convis, Jean Cook, Linda Cook, Peggy DeHaan, Helen DeWeerd, Anne Duinkerken, Anne Heath Wiersma, Kate Irvin-Garcia, Lynn Japinga, Rachelle Oppenhuizen, Terry Pott, Anna Ritsema, Barb Roe, Vicki Rumpsa, Barb Schmitt, Dave Schmitt and Marlin VanderWilt.
Substitute mentors are Sharon Arendshorst, Claudia Berry, Margaret Boelkins, Don Buteyn, Barbara Joldersma, Marilee Nieuwsma, Nancy Rock, Jane Schuyler, and Gordon Wiersma.
Prayer Partners who are assigned to a specific mentor and child are Ann Anderson, Randy Braaksma, Jan Fike, Carole Hintz, Shannon Kalmink, Norma Killilea, Stephanie Krom, Char Laman, Earl Laman, Judy Mastenbrook, Rachelle Oppenhuizen, Nancy Rock, Stan Rock, Jill Russell, Jane Schuyler, Dorothy Sherburne, Eleanor VanDyke and Eloise VanHeest.
Prayer Partners who pray for this ministry as a whole are Joanne Brooks, Suzanne Buteyn, Ruth Hoekstra-Telgenhof, Kari Miller-Fenwood, Karen Mulder, Jan Smith and Nancy VandeWater.
We are grateful for each member of our Kids Hope team and very glad to be part of an organization which provides one out of every five mentors in the State of Michigan. We are also eager to serve the three children who remain on our waiting list. If you have reached a point in your life where mentoring now seems like a possibility, please contact Anne Duinkerken or Barb Joldersma. We will happily provide you with the tools and training you need to join this ministry to at-risk children.