[Editor's Note: This is the third in a series of articles from Arborlawn's Kids Hope USA ministry. The program has been in place about a year now with our church partnering with J. T. Stevens Elementary School. Contact the ministry leaders listed at the end of the article if you're interested in becoming a Kids Hope USA mentor.]
The motto for Kids Hope USA is "One child, one hour, one church, one school."
One hour: Sixty critical minutes each week when a trained mentor befriends a child and helps him or her acquire basic academic skills.
How much is an hour worth? One educator seems to think an hour is worth a lot. “Given the choice between $100,000 for instructional material or the love of Kids Hope USA mentors,” she says, “I would choose the love.” One hour a week, every week, is the most important hour many of these kids have. One hour of one-on-one attention, just for them.
This week Bobbie Mayo shares her passion for Kids Hope: "It's all about love and faith. I started with my little fellow not knowing what to expect. It did not take long to see that he is a very smart five year old with a tremendous desire for love and attention. My love for him was immediate! We spend our time together talking about the importance of learning, being a good boy in class - (He has a problem with that.) - and doing the right things. Before our visits, I pray for God's guidance during our visit; that I say the things He will have me say. I love this little fellow so much and have faith that something I say with God's direction will help him on his spiritual journey."
For more information about being a Kids Hope USA mentor, contact Shirley Watkins or Laurie Ryan. You can also check out the Kids Hope USA web site.
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