Mentor FAQ
Kids aren’t looking for perfection. Rather, they’re just interested in spending time with someone who’s willing to share their life’s experience. Ordinary people can make extraordinary mentors.
Some of our mentors take on a role similar to a grandparent. The kids don’t see age as a problem. Anyone willing to share their time and interests is commonly welcomed.
Kids ‘n Kinship has a variety of kids waiting for mentors. Your preferences and comfort level are taken into consideration Starting with kids as young as five, we’re often able to intervene when the kids are still open to adult involvement and prior to the development of behavior and criminal issues. Through having adults who keep their promises, the kids learn to trust. This lays the groundwork for respectful behavior.
Yes! Kids ‘n Kinship also offers a school-based mentoring program at four local elementary schools: Glacier Hills and Thomas Lake Elementary Schools in Eagan, Westview Elementary in Apple Valley and Parkview Elementary in Rosemount. Learn more about this program.
Usually we’re able to match a mentor and mentee within a 15 minutes drive of one another.
Attend an Information Session to learn more about Kids N Kinship and becoming a mentor. You will learn about the children and teens who are waiting for mentors, the activities and benefits provided by Kids ‘n Kinship and the volunteer screening process. We have Information Sessions every few weeks during the day/evening/weekends. Click here for upcoming sessions.
Kids ‘n Kinship works to diminish participant liability by carefully screening program participants and by meeting Kinship Inc. standards. Most of our rigorous standards are metrics/benchmarks we meet as part of our expert status with MENTOR MN and the NQMS standards 3 year review. Kids ‘n Kinship has liability insurance which also covers volunteers mentors.
Kids ‘n Kinship asks for one to four hours per week and a one year commitment, however many mentors will commit more time. We have heard from many volunteers that the rewards often surpass their investment of time. They also tell us that including the kids in what they were already planning to do takes a minimal amount of additional time from their weekly schedule.
Rather than spoiling kids with costly outings, we’ve discovered that simply spending time together is the most valuable resource adults can provide. Time together might involve playing a board game, making a meal, doing odd jobs around the house, washing the car or flying a kite at the park. Kids do need exposure to special events and fun outings, too, and Kids ‘n Kinship participants receive discounts at a number of community organizations including the Minnesota Zoo, the Science Museum, the Children’s Museum and local YMCAs, and also receive periodic free tickets to sporting, musical and theater events. Kids ‘n Kinship maintains a partnership with Tickets for Kids. This partnership allows our program to obtain free tickets to a wide array of events, outings, and activities. Some include: MN Pro sports teams, museums, theaters, concerts, collegiate offerings, Wheel Fun Rentals, and many more. Kids ‘n Kinship also plans activities that are free for both the mentor and mentee at least every three months.
You don’t need experience to be a friend. Additionally, Kids ‘n Kinship staff provides ongoing support when questions or concerns arise.
The kids in our program enjoy receiving postcards or phone calls from many of our volunteers that travel regularly for work or leisure. Although it’s great when mentors are able to select a constant weekly meeting time with their kids, for many it varies from week to week.
One of the great things about Kids ‘n Kinship is that couples and families can volunteer together. Instead of pulling families apart, Kids ‘n Kinship can strengthen them through common volunteer involvement. Your children, or perhaps grandchildren, can interact with your mentee, too.
Position:
Kids ‘n Kinship Mentor, individuals, couples and families can apply to mentor a child.
Skills Required:
- Ability to love and care about children in a nonjudgmental manner.
- Ability to accept a child as they are.
- Basic friendship skills such as being reliable, accepting, listening, and suggesting.
Duties:
- Responsible for initiating weekly contacts with the child.
- Consistency in meeting dates; planning outings with the child; contacting the child with changes in meeting plans.
- Maintain ongoing contact/consultations with the Kinship Coordinator- sharing concerns, highlights, and ideas.
- Personal growth.
- Experience the rewards of making a difference in a child’s life.
Purpose:
Develop a positive relationship with a child to reduce isolation, and prevent/reduce at-risk behaviors.
Length of Commitment:
One year or more.
Training
Kids ‘n Kinship training session, ongoing support and consultation with staff.
Benefits:
If you have children at home, Kids ‘n Kinship takes them into account when matching you with a child. Giving and helping others is often the kind of legacy parents want to leave with their children.
Adult-child matches are carefully made, based upon interest, location, gender and other preferences. The child and his/her parent or guardian have the final approval of the mentor. Kids ‘n Kinship staff continually monitors the matches and if difficulties arise, provide assistance. Few matches end because of incompatibility.