January is National Mentoring Month!

January 2014 is the 13th Annual National Mentoring Month.  Today, January 9th, is National I am A Mentor Day.  All across the country people are recognizing the important role mentors play in the success of our nation's youth.  Every day, mentors in communities across our nation provide crucial support and guidance to young people. Whether a day is spent helping with homework, playing catch or listening, these moments can have an enormous, lasting effect on a child’s life. You don’t need special skills to be a mentor. You just need to listen, show that you care and share your experience.

Do you remember being mentored unofficially or officially as a child?  Thank your mentor on National Thank Your Mentor day, Thursday January 16th.  For more information on National Mentoring Month, go to: http://www.mpmn.org/Events/NationalMentoringMonth.aspx

Make a difference to a child, consider becoming a mentor to a youth in Dakota County through Kids ‘n Kinship! We are a local non-profit organization that matches kids ages 5-16 with volunteer mentors for fun and engaging weekly activities in the community. In addition to the community-based program, Kids ‘n Kinship offers school-based mentoring programs at Glacier Hills and Thomas Lake Elementary Schools in Eagan, Westview Elementary in Apple Valley, and Parkview Elementary in Rosemount.

Research has shown that when matched through a quality mentoring program, mentors can play a powerful role in providing young people with the tools to make responsible decisions, stay focused and engaged in school, and reduce or avoid risky behavior like skipping school, drug use and other negative activities. Quality mentoring relationships lead to a significant increase in a young person’s prospects for leading a healthy and productive life, strengthening families and, ultimately, our community.

All of these factors are encompassed in this year's theme Mentoring Works! Additionally, a study done by Science Daily found that for all teen students, having an adult mentor meant a 50 percent greater likelihood of attending college. After more than 41 years of serving children in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville and Rosemount, Kids ‘n Kinship has many success stories. 

Here's a few testimonials: 

“My son’s mentor is very supportive and is a great role model.  I see my son looking up to him and he is doing better in school this year” - Parent

“[Her mentor] has really made a difference in [my daughter’s] life, I’m so grateful to her!  She ‘gets’ her,” - Parent

“Our personalities are so similar, she’s just like me when I was that age.” - Mentor

“My mentee is an amazing young woman, I am really proud of her - she has a good perspective and is set to graduate this spring.”  - Mentor

“She is delightful and fun to be with!  I’m enjoy her immensely…she’s just a riot, she’s very funny!” - Mentor

“[He] has started out the school year with the most positive attitude he has ever had!” - Parent

“She is a sweet girl with a loving heart.  In addition to meeting at school, we like to bake, and do crafts in the winter.  We enjoy riding bike together during the summer and just being outside.” - School-Based Mentor

For more success stories and to read about how to started with Kids 'n Kinship, go to our website: www.kidsnkinship.org

Consider attending an information session to hear more!  Our next one is Thurs. Jan. 23rd, 6-6:45 pm - Burnhaven Library in Burnsville.  RSVP to Ingrid Henry 952-891-3885