A principal described third-grader Robert as a student who was lonely and could not read. He appeared at the top of her list of children at risk to not graduate—from elementary school. Studies show that a child who falls behind after the first grade has a mere one in eight chance of ever catching up with classmates—unless extraordinary measures intervene.

But then Robert began to meet with a mentor who encouraged him. A person Robert learned to trust. Someone who told Robert that, yes, he could read. And together they practiced. Many times, together turns into something extraordinary.

Now in fifth grade, Robert’s principal proudly introduces him as one of the school’s best readers. She adds a surprising twist when she says, “What happened with Robert is a miracle!”

Jason is a little person who experiences big challenges. Glance into his classroom, and this second-grader blends in with the other children. Every Monday afternoon, he spends an hour with a mentor. Most weeks prove unspectacular and provide no morsels to write about. But that recently changed. In the briefest of moments, with fewer words than this sentence, Jason made mention of his weekend.

“Yesterday my dad forgot lunch and then he forgot dinner.”

How does a parent forget about meals? It’s a reality felt by a staggering number of today’s kids. A church decided they could not simply ignore the food insecurity issue in their area. Only after forming personal, I-trust-you-enough-to-tell-you mentoring relationships with children in their community did this church hear the soft voices. And then they took action.

Every Friday afternoon, they fill backpacks with food and place them in students’ lockers. Enough food to make it through the weekend. No more meals “forgotten.” An incredible, tangible act of love.

This congregation’s mentoring program at a nearby school provided an ideal setting to learn what’s really happening in the lives of people outside their church walls. Many needs remain unknown until revealed in the safety of a personal relationship.

Only a few weeks into his first year of school, and Tommy already had a reputation. His unruly behavior had cleared the classroom, more than once. His teacher was at a loss. His mom was worried. School leaders had already given up on the Kindergartener.

But then hope arrived through a lady named Rhonda.

When Rhonda, Tommy’s Kids Hope USA mentor, arrived to meet him for the first time, school staff asked, “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

Actually, Rhonda was eager to start.

She met Tommy’s wide eyes with a smile, and began pouring herself into the little boy’s life. Together they played, learned and listened. They created an incentive chart, helping Tommy and his teacher begin to recognize all the good this five-year-old had in him.

Soon, the angry outbursts stopped. Tommy’s behavior changed so drastically that the minds of those around him changed. Where they once saw only a disciplinary problem, they now saw a delightful boy with a brilliant mind, a soft heart, and a bright future. Tommy, once on a fast track to an alternative school, now thrives in his traditional classroom. Once labeled as “trouble,” he is now valued as a child—all because he received hope from someone who believed in him.

Zeke didn’t say much. His feelings were a bit of a mystery. For an entire year, a mentor named Fred met with him week after week, one hour at a time. It didn’t take Fred long to see the promise that was within Zeke; however, Zeke kept up his guard by not letting Fred get too close.

When he moved up to second grade, Fred continued to show up every week. And gradually, Zeke began to talk a little more. His smile came a little more easily. It seemed the walls around his heart were starting to come down, slowly.

Then one winter day when they were scheduled to meet, a big snowstorm hit. Fred was snowed in, his car hopelessly stuck in his driveway. He couldn’t even get to work. But school wasn’t cancelled, and he knew Zeke would be waiting for him. So that afternoon, he started to walk the long distance between his house and the school. Entering the building, he could hear a child sobbing loudly. As he rounded the corner, he saw that it was Zeke. Convinced the snow had kept Fred away, Zeke was openly devastated.

But Fred was there! And at that moment, all the walls around Zeke’s little heart came tumbling down. In his seven years, Zeke had many people come and go from his life. But on that one winter afternoon, Zeke discovered he now had someone who wouldn’t let him down. He found the gift of trust in someone he could count on, snow or shine. He found the gift of hope in someone who was faithful.

She was eight. And she was invisible. At least that’s how Sam felt most days. She stood alone on the playground. She sat unnoticed in the classroom. At home, things were hard. Grandpa had died. A new baby was on the way. She felt like she was being left behind. Like no one could see her and, even worse, that no one really tried.

Then Kim, a Kids Hope USA mentor arrived. Kim called Sam by name. She looked in Sam’s eyes. She listened, without interrupting, to Sam’s voice. And Kim saw Sam in a way this little girl thought no one had ever seen her before.

When Kim looked at Sam, she saw a unique heart and creative spirit. A fun kid, undiscovered by her peers. A bright mind, overlooked in the everyday hubbub. A timid child, unaware of her importance. And through Kim’s eyes, Sam began to see herself too. Kim’s encouragement gave Sam confidence to step out and take a chance. Her reassurance freed Sam to be herself. Her time and her presence and her caring shined light into Sam’s soul. Soon, her sense of invisibility began to disappear.

Kim showed up every week, and Sam loved hearing her name—and black licorice jelly beans; Kim knew they were Sam’s favorite. And for the first time, Sam felt important. She felt special and she found hope in someone who knew her name.

Sometimes Seth got lost in the shuffle. Home life was chaotic and unpredictable. At school, he was just another student. Everyone was so busy; he wasn’t sure where he fit in. So he began to act out.

At home and at school, the second grader had been getting into trouble when a mentor named Brandon came into his life. Things started to change.
Once a week every week, Brandon would show up for Seth. For an hour he would listen, encourage, and focus solely on the young boy. He was never in a hurry. Never distracted by a task or another person. It was just the two of them. No one else. This seemed too good to be true. Soon, Seth’s behavior began to calm.

But after a year and a half of faithful mentoring, Seth’s family lost their house. It was a lot of sudden change. Everything seemed chaotic again, until he saw Brandon standing in the doorway of his classroom. Relief washed over Seth at the sight of a familiar face.

For four years, Seth treasured each moment with Brandon. Along the way, Seth grew and matured and thrived. As the end of his sixth grade year approached, he knew the weekly visits would soon end. Without a doubt, he would miss their regular times together. But he also knew he would be okay. Because through their years together, Seth had found confidence. And he knew his future was bright because he had found hope in someone who was there for only him.

In Aurora, Illinois, a principal and pastor met to discuss a potential partnership. The principal invited a third grade teacher to listen to the idea. When asked for her thoughts she said, “At the end of every school day, while my students stand in line before we walk to the bus area, I give them each a hug. I give a longer hug to a few of them, and in my heart I say, ‘I’m sorry; I wish I could’ve given you more attention today.’

“So if you’re saying this church is going to send people to us willing to spend time with my kids, let’s start tomorrow!”

During a recent meeting in the administrative offices of a Nashville, Tennessee, elementary school, the principal carefully listened to an overview of a partnership opportunity with a nearby church that would provide mentors to her most at-risk students. When asked if she had interest, she replied, “In my opinion, it all comes down to one question.” Everyone in the room went quiet.

“Pastor, are you and your church going to show up in my school? Because we want you here, we need you here. It’s all up to you.”

Later that day, the principal sent this message to Kids Hope USA: “I pray that we are able to get this off the ground next year. I know some of our [students] just need someone to show them they matter.”