| What types and ages of children are matched
though Kinship Partners? |
| |
Children ages 5-14 from Crow Wing and southern Cass counties are
served by Kinship Partners mentoring program. We match children from
all socio-economic groups and believe that every child will benefit
from additional adult role models. |
| Who can be mentors in the program? |
| |
Kinship Partners in unique among mentoring programs in that we
encourage not only single people but also couples and families to
become mentors for children. |
| Am I good enough to be a role
model? |
| |
Kids are not looking for perfection. Rather, they’re just interested
in spending time with real people who might be able to share from
their experience and enjoy including them on the journey. We have
discovered that “ordinary” people can make extraordinary mentors. |
| What is the time commitment? |
| |
Partners are encouraged to spend time together each week, two to
three hours a week is recommended, for one year. We have heard from
many volunteers that the rewards often surpass their investment of
time. They also tell us that including the kids in what they
were already planning to do takes a minimal amount of additional
time from their weekly schedule. |
| I don’t know if I could afford to
take a child out once a week, or every other week? |
| |
Kinship Partners stresses “every day” activities. Rather than
spoiling kids with costly outings, we have discovered that time
together is the most valuable resource adults can provide. Time
together might involve playing a board game, making a meal, doing odd jobs around the house, washing the car, flying a kite at the
park, fishing, etc. Kids do need exposure to special events and fun
outings, too, and Kinship participants receive discounts at a number
of community businesses and organizations. Kinship Partners also
plans monthly activities that are free for both the mentor and
Kinship Kids. |
| What if I travel frequently for my
job or for leisure? |
| |
The kids in our program enjoy receiving post cards or phone calls
from many of our volunteers that travel regularly for work or
leisure. Although it is great when volunteers are able to select a constant weekly meeting time with their kids, for many it needs to vary from week to week. |
| A year sounds like a long time? |
| |
It is a significant investment in a child’s life. That’s why it has
such a great impact on all involved. We are pleased that many of our
matches continue on for many years. |
|
I feel I’m too
busy with my own family to be a mentor? |
| |
One of the great things about Kinship is that couples and families
can volunteer together. Instead of pulling families apart, Kinship
can strengthen them through their common volunteer involvement.
Whether it is your own children, or perhaps grandchildren, they can
interact with your Kinship Kid as well. |
| Would a child like me? |
| |
Adult-child matches are carefully made, based upon interest,
location, gender and other preferences. The child and his/her parent
or guardian has the final approval of the volunteer. The Kinship
Partners staff consistently monitors the matches and if difficulties
arise, assistance is provided. Few matches end because of
incompatibility. |
| What if I'm matched with
a child that I can’t handle? |
| |
Kinship Partners carefully matches volunteers with children with
whom they feel they could work well. Some of our kids
require more experienced volunteers because of troubled backgrounds
or emotional/behavioral disorders. Our staff will provide full
disclosure of the children’s background to prospective volunteers.
Many children simply need a positive adult in
their life. |
| Am I too old to mentor? |
| |
Some of our mentors take on a role similar to a grandparent. The
kids don’t see age as a problem. Anyone willing to share their time
and interests is commonly welcomed. |
| What if I don’t have much experience
with kids? |
| |
You do not need to have a lot of experience to be a friend.
Additionally, our staff provides ongoing support when questions or
concerns arise. Guidelines that help foster a good relationship are
also provided during the orientation mentors receive. |
| How much personal liability is
involved? |
| |
Kinship Partners works to diminish participant liability by
carefully screening program participants and meets the rigorous
Kinship Inc. standards. Additionally Kinship Partners has liability
insurance which covers volunteers as additionally insured. |
| Will this be a bad influence on my
own children? |
| |
If you have children in the home, Kinship Partners takes them into
account when matching you with a child. Additionally, giving back
and helping others out in their time of need is often the kind of
legacy parents want to leave with their own children. |
| Do I have to drive a long distance
to be a mentor? |
| |
While Kinship Partners serves all of Crow Wing and southern Cass
counties, geographic proximity is a key determinant when suggesting
potential matches. Usually we are able to match people within an
11-15 minute driving radius. |
