Kids 'n Kinship serves children in the following cities: Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville and Rosemount. Below are a few highlights of some of the many children waiting for mentors:

Austin is 11 years old. Austin’s favorite things in school are: recess, lunch and gym. He turned 11 this summer and has started middle school. Austin is talkative and creative, he would enjoy being outside, skateboarding or biking. He also likes video games, football, basketball and baseball. He would like to learn about any sport. He has never known his father and lives with his mom. Austin thinks mentoring would be fun and he would like to get to know more people. Austin would like to be matched with a couple or a man who is interested in sports!

Kev is 10 year old and would like to learn to swim and is in school patrol. Kev is friendly and talkative; he enjoys math and science. He is alone a lot and does not have the opportunity to do activities although he likes air hockey, movies and board games. He sees his father, who lives out of state, twice a year, and lives with his mom. Kev is in 7th grade and his wish is to have a mentor who likes Star Wars and is good with computers!

Janine is 7 and enjoys hula hoops, jumping rope, swimming and art. Janine is talkative, polite, intelligent and inquisitive. She lives with her single parent mom and two brothers. Janine is looking for the opportunity to do activities. Janine says he would like to get to know a mentor and learn from her. Janine will be in 3rd grade this fall – and her wish is to learn to cook!

Cathy is 10 and enjoys dancing, swimming, movies and scary stories. Cathy is talkative and friendly, her friends say she is a tomboy but she has all kinds of interests. She lives with her single parent mom and two brothers. Cathy is looking for the opportunity to do activities like playing soccer and going out to eat. Cathy says she would like a mentor for a new friend and to have a person to talk about her life. Cathy will be in 5th grade this fall – and her wish is to learn about cheerleading and to ice skate.

Shadow is 13 and likes science and math; he is skilled, determined, smart and talkative. While Shadow has had some tough experiences, he is very much looking forward to having a mentor. His mantra is to cherish today and look forward to tomorrow. He would enjoy being outside, inventing and going to the Science Museum or zoo. He lives with his older brother and mom. Shadow is in 8th grade; his wish would be to go see a movie and hang out with his new mentor!

Emma, age 6, enjoys finding butterflies, making snow angels & snowmen, riding her bike, coloring, and playing dress up and imagination. Emma is up for anything - she's a friendly outgoing girly girl who likes sports and animals, too. She lives with her mom, older brother who has a mentor, and younger twin siblings. She would love to learn to dance like a ballerina! Emma is waiting for an active individual or couple (please with pets!) to mentor her. She can't wait to have a mentor of her own because her older brother has been matched with a mentor for over a year now!

Mark is 16 years old and is in 10th grade. He lives with his mom and younger sister who is also in our program. Mark likes playing catch, going bike riding, playing video games or board games, being with his dogs, and going to see movies. He is shy at first and pretty mellow but he really likes to talk with people who share his interests in Star Wars, Spiderman, and science. He has mild Autism and is a visual learner, so he could benefit from one-on-one attention and help with social skills and self-confidence. Seeking someone to do fun things with him and teach him sports, games, and trivia.

Tiger is 8 years old and his favorite thing at school is art. He likes parks and playing video games and watching football.Tiger is talkative and creative, he would enjoy being outside more. He lives with his mom and she is looking for a couple or a male mentor to do activities with her son. Tiger would enjoy exploring new parks!

Rose (age 12) and Mary (age 10) are sisters who want to be matched together. They live with their mom who works evenings and would like her children to do meaningful, enriching and fun activities after school instead of being along at home watching TV and playing video games. Rose is outgoing and active; Mary is shy and sweet. They enjoy going places, outdoor activities, sports, animals, etc. They speak Spanish at home and English at school, so someone who knows some Spanish would be best.

Lisa lives with her mom, grandmother, and younger brother who is matched in our program. Her father passed away 9 years ago. She is big-hearted, bubbly, and tries to please everyone. At 14 years old, she wants to be treated as an equal, not a child. She considers herself a tomboy and likes all sports, especially baseball, hiking and fishing. She would like to learn to ice fish. Lisa also enjoys music (she plays the piano, guitar, harmonica and trumpet), movies, going shopping, and going out to amusement parks and fairs. She wants someone who she can talk to at a coffee shop like adults or go do something fun with like kids, someone who won’t give advice unless she asks for it, but is there for her when she needs support.

AJ is 14 years old and enjoys hockey, comic books and football. AJ is talkative, polite, intelligent and inquisitive. He is a wonderful young man who is a big helper at home; he lives with his single parent mom; he is alone a lot and does not have the opportunity to do activities. AJ says he would like to get to know a mentor and learn from him. AJ is in 9th grade and for his wish he chose World Peace!