January was an eventful month for us. Among other things, we held our annual Kids Hope Appreciation Dinner and Workshop which is a time when all of our volunteers are invited to gather at our church for a time of fellowship and sharing. We share our Kids Hope stories over dinner and then take the time to provide tips which have been helpful in our mentoring or in our efforts to communicate within our team (prayer partner, Kids Hope child, mentor) so that others may benefit from both our successes and our struggles. This is always a time of encouragement and problem-solving for both long-time and relatively new mentors.
We also completed the first step in the process which enables many of our Vanderbilt Kids Hope students to spend a week at Camp Geneva. Thanks to many generous donors, Camp Geneva is able to provide large scholarships to Kids Hope campers who are entering grades 4-6 in the fall. We ask the parents of our Kids Hope students to provide $50 towards the remaining camp costs if they are able to do so and our very supportive congregation provides the rest of the necessary funds for overnight campers. Donations to our camp fund by members of the congregation also enable us to offer scholarships so that our Kids Hope children who are entering grades 2-3 can attend Day Camp.
We are so grateful that we can provide our Vanderbilt students with this chance to make new friends and grow in their spiritual commitment, sense of independence, social skills, and self-esteem. And we know we cannot do it without you. Thanks for being a part of our Hope Church Kids Hope Team and for your generous gifts, which make this opportunity to share God’s love possible.
~Anne Duinkerken and Barbara Joldersma, Kids Hope USA Co-Directors