Kids Hope USA....

Have any of you heard of this program?  It is a mentoring program for elementary school students that has sponsorship of a church.  The program was begun in 1995 and is now in existence in over 31 states in all different types of schools including rural, urban, and suburban environments. 

A church in our community has sponsored a Kids Hope program at the nearby elementary school for seven years.  I had not been aware of this until last summer.  Although I am not a member of the church sponsoring Kids Hope, I was able to be added to the list of mentors.  

The student I was assigned was in the third grade!  That is the grade I taught for 20 years, so I felt "at home" with this student.  I went only one hour a week to spend time with him.  Sometimes we worked on class work, sometimes we played games, and sometimes we just talked.  

School is over here for the summer.  Before the end of the year, the guidance counselor assisted the Kids Hope students with this thank you gift....

The students painted the frame, made the card, and made their handprint on the tile.  Also, that's a really cute clip that can be used to clip papers, etc. together as needed.

For each of the Kids Hope children, I wish a happy summer.  It will be several weeks before there is a chance for us to begin again with mentoring.

I encourage you to consider serving in some way with children.  Perhaps there is a Kids Hope program near where you live.  It is truly a way to make a difference.