Kid’s Hope Corner

We at Union Christian Church have an incredible opportunity for community outreach through our KIDS HOPE USA ministry. KIDS HOPE is a nation organization that pairs local churches with neighborhood elementary schools for the purpose of adult mentoring of at-risk students. For the past ten years, volunteer adults from our church have enter the halls of Riley Elementary School to build relationships. Although laws currently govern the separation of church and state, these volunteers give one hour a week to reflect Jesus in attitude and love for a student who would otherwise "slip through the cracks". Working along side the class room teacher, our volunteers reach out to change lives, one child at a time. Educators report that a loving relationship with a KIDS HOPE USA mentor has a significant impact on these at-risk students by helping to meet their emotional, social and academic needs. Administrators site that students that are actively involved with a KIDS HOPE mentor demonstrate change and growth in four ways: they exhibit a more cooperative attitude, they are less disruptive in class room situations, they improve in academic skills through a caring adult who believes in them and their attendance improves especially on days when they meet with their KIDS HOPE mentor.

Mentors need only to be members or frequent attenders of our church, able to read and write, and provide their own transportation to and from school.  Those who volunteer will apply, be interviewed, asked for references and back ground checked as per school and KIDS HOPE guidelines. Mentors are asked to commit to one full school year- but ideally, children benefit most from an ongoing relationship continuing through their elementary years.  We support a wide age range of volunteers. Since we meet with students only during school hours, many mentors meet with their students on their lunch hours while holding down a full time job. Mentors are trained and equipped to use the hour they are given to its fullest potential.

We currently mentor seventeen students in varying grades at Riley Elementary with the full support of administration and staff. There still is and always will be a need for more mentors.

"For two years, no one had ever seen Mary smile. Miss Kathy, her KIDS HOPE USA mentor, has given Mary a reason to smile and be happy."

"Second grader Kailey had never spelled any words correctly. After working with her mentor, Mrs. Irene, for only four weeks, Kailey got her first 'A' in spelling.

Those interested in becoming involved in this ministry should contact Susan Clarke, KIDS HOPE Director at Union Christian Church, through the church office.