January is National Mentoring Month! Along with others in a variety of programs across the nation, we wish to recognize the contributions of our mentors this January, but 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 make in the lives of our Vanderbilt students.
Currently we have 20 committed mentors who are supported by 21 faithful prayer partners who are praying just for them and the child they mentor. We also have 9 substitute mentors who help us provide continuity by meeting with Kids Hope children when their personal mentor is unable to be there. Rounding out our program is a group of 6 dedicated unassigned prayer partners who pray for the Hope Church Kids Hope program as a whole.
Our Kids Hope mentors are Vern Boersma, Jonathan Brownson, Page Convis, Linda Cook, Peggy DeHaan, Helen DeWeerd, Dave Dirkse, Anne Duinkerken, Anne Heath Wiersma, Clare Heyboer, Jackie Knoll, Barb Knoops, Rachelle Oppenhuizen, Tim Pennings, Terry Pott, Anna Ritsema, Vicki Rumpsa, Barb Schmitt, Dave Schmitt and Chad Stanley.
Substitute mentors are Sharon Arendshorst, Dave Boelkins, Signe Johnson, Barbara Joldersma, Marilee Nieuwsma, Jane Schuyler, Marlin VanderWilt and Gordon Wiersma.
Prayer Partners who are assigned to a specific mentor and child are Ann Anderson, Josh Bochniak, Randy Braaksma, Todd Engle, Jan Fike, Carole Hintz, Maggie Hollis, Shannon Kalmink, Norma Killilea, Stephanie Krom, Char Laman, Earl Laman, Judy Mastenbrook, Rachelle Oppenhuizen, Stan & Nancy Rock, Jill Russell, Dorothy Sherburne, Loretta Smith, Eleanor VanDyke and Eloise VanHeest.
Prayer Partners who pray for this ministry as a whole are Joanne Brooks, Don & Suzanne Buteyn, Ruth Hoekstra-Telgenhof, Kari Miller-Fenwood and Jan Smith.
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.