Gloria Reichert - Director Leadership Team: Gloria Reichert - Director Chuck Knerem - Pastor Marj Gray - Communications Coordinator Susan Elioff - Prayer Coordinator Maureen Shorts - Celebration/Events Coordinator

The Benefits of a KIDS HOPE USA Mentor

Some of the things I just love about KIDS HOPE USA:
• The way the kids’ eyes light up when they first see their mentor each week.
• The unselfish caring given by the mentor and their genuine desire for their student’s learning success.
• Seeing the mentor and student huddle together working intently over a problem and the squeal of joy
when they get it right.
• The anticipation every September, for the whole month, when kids keep asking “When is
my mentor going to come?”
• The look in a child’s face when the mentor is going to see him or her, and no one else, for possibly the
whole time they go to the school they attend.
• The giggles and laughter of two people with a huge age difference, both acting like kids.
• The serious conversation of two people with a huge age difference, both acting like adults.
• The way two families, one from the school neighborhood and one from the church
neighborhood, get to know each other and have fun together.

Our first school year is coming to an end June 9! We can hardly believe we have been instrumental in the lives of 14 children since October! The teachers tell us that they are seeing progress in many facets of our kid’s lives since we have been involved.

Consider this:
Wherever you look, whether it is at billboards, newspapers, store advertisements, or television commercials, your attention is drawn to something somebody wants, needs, or thinks you should have. With that in mind, we wish to share with you our list. Although it is not in the form of advertising, it comes straight from the heart. Like the clever multi-million dollar advertising schemes, we also believe this is something you want, need, and should have. Our “wish list” does not come with a price tag; however, it comes with unlimited blessings and rewards! Being involved in the KIDS HOPE USA team takes you literally to a whole new world.

WE WISH:
EVERY PERSON WITH A CLAIM TO FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH WOULD CLAIM A CHILD AT DRAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

We encourage you to serve where you feel called. Above all we encourage you to pray - as this is a ministry bathed in that benefit!
For Mentors: - One hour, once a week, working with one child
For Substitute Mentors: - Helping where and when needed
For Prayer Partners: - Every mentoring pair needs a prayer partner who will consistently pray over the child

Will you prayerfully consider becoming involved in our very successful program? Recruiting is going on now. We need Mentors and Prayer Partners. Pick up a volunteer application at the Welcome Center or call Gloria Reichert, Director at 330.225.3922 for more information. Training will be scheduled at the end of August or beginning of September for the 2010-2011 school year. Watch your Weekly Revelations for dates.

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

June 9, 2010. The last day of school!! Four of our “kids” graduated from Elementary School and will be attending Middle School next year. Our graduates, Mentors, and Prayer Partners were: Desi & Marj Gray & Peg Gall; Tabitha & Gloria Reichert & Dawn Zima; Anna & Kathy Kluck & Wade Zwingler; Chris & Bob Strong & Amy Kuntz. The 'clap out' at the school was fun and the graduates were happy and sad at the same time to be leaving school and entering a new phase of their lives. That evening, the Mentors took the graduates out for a celebration dinner at The Great Wall Buffet in Great Northern. Everyone had a great time!

The Mentors will keep in contact with their 'kids' over the summer – writing letters & going on outings. Those returning in the fall, look forward to the next school year.

Our Mission:
KIDS HOPE USA (KHUSA) builds caring relationships…one child, one hour, one church, one school.