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WELCOME Mentoring is a great fun way to make a difference in the life of a child.
Please explore our website to find out how YOU can get involved! Kids ‘n Kinship
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Connects volunteers with children who need a positive adult role model
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Supports the volunteer and child relationship as they have fun together
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Provides for safe and successful mentoring
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Serves children in the following communities: Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville and Rosemount.
Christian Elder Memorial 900
Third Annual Charity Ride for Kids – benefiting Kids ‘n Kinship
On May 29th, 2008, John Elder and Dennis Hill began their 900 mile ride on the Katy Trail in Missouri to Apple Valley Minnesota, returning on June 14th. Gordy Clough was the support driver; Sam Elder and Jay Saterbak joined the group along the way. For inspirational stories and fun photos, check out the Road Diary at www.cem900.com. This year the ride is renamed the Christian Elder Memorial 900, in loving memory of John and his wife, Sherry’s, son, who died unexpectedly last year.
Merchants Bank, Apple Valley sponsors the ride with many other community groups and business in support. Kids ‘n Kinship is grateful to be the recipient of the inspiration they give to all and the awareness of mentoring they create –Over $25,000 was raised for Kids ’n Kinship, recruit, screen and match volunteer mentors, with children in need of support.
Elder, the president of Elder-Jones, Inc., a Minneapolis-based retail and restaurant construction company, says “It’s amazing what a mentor can do in a young person’s life and, in turn, what the young person can do for you.” Our 3rd annual “Welcome Home” reception featured congratulations, refreshments, photos of the trip and a fun time with friends, supporters, family, senators, commissioners and Kids ‘n Kinship participants.
   
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click the link at right for the Summer 2008 newsletter !
Kids 'n Kinship Volunteer is selected for the 2008 Hands On Twin Cities BE THE CHANGE Award
Kids 'n Kinship is proud to announce that long time mentor Mike Zenner has been selected as the 2008 recipient of the Hands On Twin Cities Be the Change Award. In front of friends and family, Mike received the award at the Mall of America Volunteer Expo on February 23.
Mike, who lives in Lakeville, has been a volunteer for Kids ‘n Kinship since March of 1999. Mike began as a mentor in our program for 11-year-old Sean. Today, Mike continues to provide friendship and support to Sean – who is now in his second year of college. Four years after Mike was first matched, he reached out to mentor another child, 7-year-old Damian. Mike has an extremely special friendship with him, now 11 years old. Mike is an excellent mentor and supporter of Kids 'n Kinship.
 
Kids 'n Kinship Match Highlight 
It was easy to see why Jen and Melanie have been sharing such a special friendship for the past 6- years. They are both such special people and have an obvious bond and mutual respect for one another.
Melanie started mentoring Jen when she was 11 years old and in 6th grade. Jen will be celebrating her 18th birthday this week, and will be graduating from high school this June. Melanie has great pride in the person Jen is today. She is proud of her for her many accomplishments as well as the compassion she shows toward others especially friends at school who are facing disabilities. She has great admiration towards Jen for over-coming the many hurdles and challenges she has dealt with in the years she has known her.
When Melanie and Jen were first matched, Jen was facing a difficult time in her life. Jen and her younger brother have lived with their grandparents since Jen was 2 years old. Jens grandparents reached out to raise the children since their mother faced challenges that did not allow her to successfully parent the children. Jens dad stayed in their lives, visiting and seeing them when he could. Jens dad faced medical challenges through these years that did not allow him to care for the children by himself, and died from cancer two weeks before Jen and Melanie were first matched.
At first Jen was not up for doing many activities. Throughout this time, Melanie came to Jens house and spent time with her. She got to know her grandparents and younger brother, and visited Jen listening to her, just being there, and letting her know she cared. After time, Jen found the courage to venture out and try some new activities with Melanie. Some of their favorite things they have done through the years are going out to lunch where they spend hours talking about whatevers going on, Jens future plans, and the amazing sci-fi fantasy book Jen is currently writing. They both love to watch movies, and then discuss them at their favorite place ~ the dairy queen ~ on the way home. One of Melanies favorite memories is they night she and Jen make homemade pizzas at Melanies house and then watched Jaws. Jen and Melanie also had a blast at a recent get together at Skateville where Melanie won a prize for doing the Hockey-Pokey!
Jen is grateful to Melanie for encouraging her to try new activities that she might not have otherwise experienced, for providing re-assurance and encouragement, and for believing in her. Melanie has been a great help to both Jen and her grandparents in working through the generation gap they sometimes face.
Melanie has found her relationship with Jen extremely rewarding. She says she gets far more back from their friendship then she ever dreamed...Melanie said its the little things you do in a childs life that can make all the difference baking cookies, talking, just hanging out doing everyday things that can make a child feel special. Melanie has enjoyed being able to be a kid with Jen and do kid things together, and has learned to be open to new experiences. Melanie is very excited to watch Jen through this exciting time in her life as she makes plans to attend Brown Institute next year, pursing her passion for writing. Jen has taught Melanie that perseverance can take you through hard times and she has learned so much from her in her strength in facing her challenges.
Jen says Having a mentor like Melanie might save a kids life! Sometimes just having a friend to talk to can make all the difference at least you know you are not alone! She has also found comfort and re-assurance knowing that she is never being judged. Jen says she has been so fortunate to have her grandparents in her life ~ they have done such an incredible job of raising her and her brother, and she has been extremely lucky to have Melanie as her special friend throughout the years as well! They both know they will be life-long friends and both consider themselves very fortunate to have come together 6 years ago.
Match Highlight
The following story was published on Thomson West's intranet site.
Thomson West is located in Eagan, MN.
Amazing People, Amazing Stories: Scott Berres is a
Staple of Leadership
Scott Berres (right) and Miles catch up with each
other at the local video store.
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Growing up in a large family, Scott
Berres, lead software engineer, E-commerce, Thomson West, was
accustomed to the clatter and high energy level of kids. As an adult, he
desired to help young adults and began volunteering with Kids ’n Kinship. Since
1998, he has volunteered about 848 hours mentoring two young men and supporting
the organization’s Web site. Kids ’n Kinship started 33 years ago and has
served the needs of 1,700 Dakota County children who need a positive adult role
model. Scott’s one-year
commitment evolved into a lifelong relationship. His devotion started with
John, a six-year-old who was dedicated to the program for one year. Scott was
then matched with video-game enthusiast Miles. The 13-year-old was struggling
with school, and Scott became a constant influence in his life. For two hours a
week, Scott planned actives with Miles to
Camp
Snoopy
, sporting events and playing video games together. Miles’ mom
explains, “Miles is more tolerant of adults because he’s learning to interact
in a respectful manner. Scott has been a godsend.”
A goal of Scott’s was fulfilled when
Miles graduated from high school with a 3.4 GPA. Although Miles is no longer in
Kids ’n Kinship, Scott talks to him regularly and they often run into each
other at the video store, where Miles works. Scott’s long-term influence
encouraged Miles to volunteer at a local teen center. Miles plans to attend Inver Hills Community College
and study Web design. Scott
remains devoted to Kids ’n Kinship by maintaining the Web site, which helps
recruit volunteers and keeps mentors informed. Currently, 75 children
and young adults are on a waiting list to be assigned mentors. Volunteer
information can be found on the
organization's Web site.
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