Living in a community without giving back is like enjoying a garden without watering it – eventually the growth stops, and the beauty fades. Across the country, there are countless ways to make a difference, from financial contributions to the invaluable gift of your time and talents.
One tangible way to impact your community is to be present in your local elementary school. Kids Hope USA provides a unique opportunity and programming for you to do just that. Through a partnership between your church and a local elementary school, you can mentor a student just one hour a week.
Here are five reasons why you should consider this unique opportunity.
Support Early Learning and Development
Mentoring supports early learning, building a foundation for academic success and emotional well-being. During the mentoring hour, students can practice reading skills, complete fun activities that stimulate the brain, and engage in games that help with socio-emotional behaviors. This one-on-one time with a caring, consistent adult makes a big difference in the way a child learns and prepares for their future.
Cultivate A Stronger Sense of Community
When you spend time with a younger person, you build a stronger sense of community. Your student may be the only young person you consistently connect with in a meaningful way.
Not only do you interact with your student, but you also get to know the school office staff, teachers, and other church mentors who volunteer on the same day that you do. All of these relationships create a positive outlook towards your community. Who knows, the next time you are at the grocery store or park, you might talk with one of these individuals that you have gotten to know through mentoring.
Be a Positive Role Model to your Student
Each week, you meet with your student, spend time hearing about their week, and ask how they are doing. Through this relationship building, you are able to be a positive role model for your student. If they’re having a hard week, you can speak into their situation. No matter what is going on in their life, you are capable of creating a positive atmosphere that will bless your student. What a gift to empower and encourage the next generation!
Provide Additional Resources for Teachers
Saying “Yes!” to mentoring means that you get to be an additional support to your student’s teacher. Mentors can support teachers by reinforcing classroom goals, helping students catch up on assignments, or simply being a listening ear for the student.
This is also an opportunity to thoughtfully engage with the teacher. Consider writing a note thanking them for all they do or verbally encouraging them when you go to pick up your student from the classroom. Being an additional resource to your student’s teacher means that you loop them in on your student’s progress, so they understand how the student is doing.
Inspire the Next Generation
Finally, being present in your local elementary school gives you an opportunity to inspire the next generation. Is your career unique and something that your student would like to hear more about? Have your past experiences created lessons that you are able to pass along to your student? There are so many reasons why you and your student get intentionally paired together. Find those connecting points and use those to inspire them.
Additionally, take the time to remind your student that you are in their corner. They can ask you anything and talk to you about anything. Allowing for open conversations can inspire your student to broaden their horizons and ask more thoughtful questions.
Get Connected with Kids Hope USA
By showing up each week through mentoring, you send a powerful message: You matter! These relationships can have lasting impacts, often continuing in future years. Becoming a mentor through Kids Hope USA and being present in your local elementary school is a gift – one that transforms not just the life of a child but your own, while strengthening the entire community.