Every week across the country, thousands of mentors walk into schools to spend an hour with a student.
What often goes unseen is everything that happened before the first mentoring hour between a student and their mentor. Behind every match is a community of people working together to make that relationship possible.
It Starts with a Partnership
The very beginning of the mentoring journey starts with a partnership between a local church or a local business and their neighborhood elementary school. The church or business decides to engage missionally in a meaningful way through mentoring relationships!
School leaders choose to open their doors to their community through mentoring. They recognize that there is value here, in one-on-one time spent with their students.
This first step of partnership builds trust between the church and the school. This paves the way for a transformed community!
Recruiting, Screening, and Training Mentors
After this partnership is established, Program Directors begin the process of recruiting, screening, and training their mentors. Directors share the vision of mentoring with their church and provide an opportunity for their congregation to accept the call.
From there, volunteer mentors commit to the first year of mentoring. The Program Director explains the simple commitment in detail. They undergo a background check and screening, complete online training with Kids Hope USA, and then prepare for the school year ahead!
Mentors don’t just sign up and immediately start. The screening and training process helps ensure students receive safe, consistent support.
Identifying Students Who Could Benefit
How do students across the country receive a mentor? Teachers see the needs of the classroom firsthand and, with that in mind, create a list of student referrals. Student referrals happen because of a variety of factors:
- Extra one-on-one time to build confidence, consistency, and trusted relationships
- Support during seasons of transition, such as adjusting to a new school or classroom
- Social connection and belonging, including navigating friendships or group dynamics
- Emotional encouragement, especially during times of change or stress
- A steady, caring adult presence to help them grow, engage, and flourish
Before a mentor gets assigned, there is a teacher hoping a caring adult becomes available for a student in their classroom.
The Ongoing Work of Program Directors
Program Directors juggle many behind-the-scenes items. They run the program, coordinate schedules, maintain school relationships, support mentors, and continue to recruit new volunteers throughout the school year.
The Students Still Waiting
Throughout the country, many programs have waiting lists. Students are ready to meet with a mentor, but they are waiting for one to show up for them! Teachers continue to refer students; directors keep trying to recruit new mentors, but the need often exceeds the number of volunteers present.
Where Donors Fit In
The story behind every match is that donor support matters. To be able to launch new programs, equip directors, provide training and resources, empower churches and businesses, and support schools, donors step up and give generously to this mission.
Kids Hope USA cannot reach more kids without the financial contributions made by donors across the country. The story behind every match starts with a donor who recognizes that one-on-one mentoring relationships make a life-changing impact.
Behind the Match
When a mentor and student sit down together for the first time, it may look like a conversation over a game of Uno. But behind that moment is a church that said yes, a school that opened its doors, a teacher who noticed a need, a director who invested countless hours, a mentor who stepped forward, and donor support that made it all possible.
Every match has an important story. And every story begins with people who believe a child is worth showing up for! If you are interested in getting involved with Kids Hope USA and being a part of this match process, consider donating, becoming a mentor, or starting a program at your church or business. We would love to have you join us in this mission to provide students with a mentor!