WELCOME

Mentoring is a great fun way to make a difference in the life of a child.

Kids 'n Kinship

• Connects volunteers with children who need a positive adult role model
• Supports the volunteer and child relationship as they have fun together
• Provides for safe and successful mentoring
• Serves children in the following communities:  Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville and Rosemount.

Acknowledgments

National Mentoring Month

January 2012 is the the 11th Annual National Mentoring Month to promote awareness of the need for mentors.  The theme is "Invest in the Future, Mentor a Child." New this year is a social media campaign to focus national attention on the need for mentors. The campaign is set up as a Facebook event, "I Am A MENTOR" for January 11 and will be concentrated on a one-day call to action for mentors to post their stories and invite others in their network to join.  Also, January 26th is "THANK YOUR MENTOR" day and we will celebrating it by holding our annual winter outing that evening (see event on the right).

Mentoring Makes a Difference

Winter Match Highlight

Jasmine and Beth were matched through Kids ‘n Kinship in May 2010. They wrote this story:

We quickly found, through our weekly meetings, we had a lot in common. We have a similar sense of humor, we like to try new things, and we recognize that our family and friends are very important in our lives. We both like swimming, hiking, playing board games, and picnics in the park. Interestingly enough, we found we were both the astrological sign of Bull, Taurus, explaining why we could each be stubborn at times. We also found we had differences; Jasmine is very outgoing while I am more laid back. Jasmine’s favorite food is seafood and I am so allergic to it I cannot be in the same room. We have started some traditions such as carving a pumpkin and cooking the seeds at Halloween and scrapbooking. Our favorite outings are our trip to the zoo, making different kinds of salads, and playing games at the local coffee shop. Jasmine likes to play a “find it” game with my dog, Wilma, hiding her treats while I keep her occupied in another room. It has become tradition that Wilma rides in the car when I take Jasmine home. At times, there is a bit of power struggle in the car to see who should ride in the front seat but Jasmine usually wins out with the command “back seat missy”.

I thought about mentoring for years and have found it to be both a humbling and rewarding experience. It is amazing how quickly your mentee and the weekly outings become a part of your life. Jasmine would like to be a mentor when she is older and is eager to help recruit others for the program. She wants to let others know it is fun and you both get to do new things or things you have not done for a very long time. These activities don’t have to cost any or much money to do. We had great opportunities to use donated tickets to see a Women’s Gopher Gymnastics meet, see a local holiday play, a trip to the zoo and go through a local corn maze. Jasmine really likes the program because she has another adult to talk to, help her do things, and attend her choir concerts. Also when birthdays and other special events come around, it is great to have someone else to share these special times.

In closing, we both really enjoy our time in the program and would encourage anyone thinking about this to “just do it”.

Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota

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