Last month’s news article on Kids Hope listed the Who? a list of names of which I am sorry if I missed listing yours, the What? that explained that the list was of members of Hope Church who have been involved with Kids Hope, and the Why? to thank so many of you who have contributed your time and prayers to Kids Hope. This month I thought i would elaborate on the What? and tell those of you who are not acquainted with this program, just what Kids Hope is all about.
Kids Hope is a program that matches mentors in a church with students at a local school. They meet once a week at the school for about an hour.
The church sponsors the program as an expression of service to the community and as a link to local families Kids Hope USA is established at several local churches as well as through out Michigan and Nationally.
Hope Church began its affiliation with Kids Hope 15 years ago with the generosity of the Mulder and Haworth families and under the leadership of Judy VanderWilt. Since its beginning Hope Church has mentored over 200 children and is funded through the Community Ministry.
Hope Churches partner school is Vanderbilt Charter Academy. At Vanderbilt 75% of its student body is eligible for free and reduced lunch so the students we mentor there come from families who are poor and whose children are at risk. Hope Church mentors have been crucial in building relationships with these children and providing them help with homework and general encouragement. Our mentors are supported through prayer by our Kids Hope Prayer Partners and the mentors schedules are supported by Kids Hope Substitute Mentors when the regular mentor is unable to be there. Overall the program is run by a Church Director (me) and in our case Third Reformed Church has joined our partnership and they also have a Director (Beverley Rannow).
Beyond weekly mentoring, Kids Hope sponsors activities for the students as well as for the teachers and mentors through out the year. In the Fall we host an Activity Day after school for the kids followed by a dinner that their parents and families are invited to, a Winter Mentor Appreciation Dinner, in the Spring a bowling outing and Teacher Appreciation Breakfast and finally at the end of May the End Of The Year Celebration Dinner and Award Ceremony. As for our mentors, they receive Kids Hope training as well as opportunities to attend workshops or hear speakers on topics that help them better understand the environment that the children they mentor come from. The mentors are supported by their director and by support staff from the national office.
The impact that Kids Hope makes has been studied and the results show that 95% of the children served show change and growth in attitude, behavior, academic performance and attendance. Kid Hope mentors do make a difference and the statistics prove it.
If after reading this, you want to get involved? Great! Our program always needs more mentors, prayer partners, substitute mentors and help with special events. There are sign ups sheets on the bulletin board near the office. Thank you for considering being a part of this great organization.
~Vicki Rumpsa, Kids Hope USA Director