In January 2006, eleven members of Peace Reformed began their role as mentors for a student at McKinley Elementary School in Sioux City Iowa.  The first session was exciting, as the mentors met the teachers and the principal, learned their way around the building, and met their student.  According to Jan Schneider, co-director of Kid’s Hope at Peace, “the McKinley staff has welcomed us with open arms.”  They have been very supportive and appreciative of our efforts.

Each mentor spends one hour per week throughout the school year with their student.  Although academics are part of the program, the primary goal of the mentor is simply to provide a caring, adult relationship with the child, focusing on the child's emotional and social needs.   When relational needs are met, hope blossoms, and academics naturally improve.

What does the hour look like?  Part of building the relationship is getting acquainted, and the first few minutes are spent getting to know each other.  The remaining time is divided between academics, creative activities, and play.  Simple things mean a lot:  encouragement and affirmation, help with spelling words, reading, arithmetic, and playing games.  All the mentors will agree that the hour goes by very quickly.

Some comments….

…from the students:

Are you coming again next week?

May I take this Kid’s Hope shirt home?

Will you bring this game again?

I like it when we count by bouncing the ball.

Thank you for helping me.

…from teachers:

My student needs a calm, caring adult in his life.  Your mentor is the perfect match.

My student has shown improvement in his weekly spelling tests.

On student that missed some school has been in school the day the mentor comes. 

A student has done a better job of finishing his work since his mentor has been encouraging him.

My student needed that one on one relationship.  Thanks for caring.

…from mentors:

The smile on their faces tells it all.

What a rewarding hour!

They are so much fun to work with.

One little girl stopped a mentor in the hallway and said, “You help a little boy in my room.  Do you suppose you could help me tomorrow?”

The Kid’s Hope Team

Twenty seven members of Peace Reformed Church have been trained for the Kid’s Hope USA program.  They are serving in the following capacities:

Leadership Team

Pastor  Bob Rook

Directors

Alma VanVossen, Jan Schneider

Communications Coordinator - Clay Miller

Celebration/Events Coordinator - Renee Hokel

Our Mission

Kid's Hope USA builds caring relationships...

one child, one hour, one church, one school.

Our Belief:

We believe in Jesus' way.

Our Values

Children - Because every child matters.

Relationships - Because love is only possible person to person.

Faithfulness - Because if I say I will, I will.

Prayer - Because it is our language of hope.

Mentors

John Hantla

Holli Rook

Bob Rook

Dave Shira

Scott Eldridge

Diane Eldridge

Kathy Hibma

Angie Lewis

Priscilla Peacock

Jim Veldhuizen

Dave Scholten

Kathy Schroer

Valorie Kruse

Larie Miller

Super Subs

Larry Hendricks

Dawn Kinney

Shirley Mobley

Prayer Partners

Marlo Griebel

Marilyn Huitink

Mike Ott

Bee Shira

Tom Van Vossen

Carol Hantla

Tony Hibma

Paul Schneider

Barb Anfinson

Clay Miller

Shari Moon

Dawn Kinney

Barb Anfinson

Carol Johnston