2012 Annual Report

2012
Celebrating 40 years
of Mentoring Youth
in Dakota County
Kids 'n Kinship provides friendships to children ages 5 - 16
in need of a positive adult role model.
Kids ‘n Kinship
www.kidsnkinship.org
952-892-6368
Match Highlights and Testimonials
A young woman who has been mentored for 15 years says, “My mentor has become a second
mother to me… She has always been open with me about many life issues that teens and young
women struggle with. She has helped me through hard times; she has always been there, a shoulder to
cry on. She told me I have taught her something too. She said, “I always thought that respect and
wisdom came with age but I learned, from you, that children can be unbelievable teachers.” She and
her family are rare gems and a true find; that I would never have found unless of Kids n’ Kinship. I
could be in the same place as many of my peers, if I did not have the precious gift of a mentor. Having
a mentor has also made me think about mentoring someone myself. I could be part of the circle of
love; showing one child a love that they will return to another child in need of love.”
From a parent… A mom is very appreciative of her daughter's mentor: "[her mentor] is just really
good for her... it worked out perfect!... [her mentor] is the only person she actually likes - we could not
have found a better match - it's a miracle!"
From a mentor…“I’d been thinking of all the sights we could show him, but all he wanted to do was
roast marshmallows, kick the soccer ball around with my daughter, and skip rocks. It made me
appreciate those little things we take for granted. It is so much fun to be matched with him.”
A mom of a 5 year old matched child got a flyer for a ‘Dad's Day’ at school - she did not know how
to handle this as her son has never met his father and he was so excited about the ‘Dad’s Day’. A short
time later, the mentor came by to pick up the child and saw the flyer – he said “Could I go to this?”
Mom was overwhelmed with appreciation.
From a mom: “His mentor means a lot to him already - he really looks up to him. He is looking
forward to warmer weather activities to plan and my son has never been one to look to the future but
he is now. A major change in his outlook - thanks to his mentor.”
A story: I picked up [my mentee] and he asked. “Can we try to sell some Kool-Aid tonight?” I agreed,
thinking he must surely have something in mind for the money he would make from this. [My
mentee] stood along the road with his little cardboard sign to sell the drinks. Of course, nobody could
resist him and sales were pretty good. He was soooo excited about the money he had earned. Again,
I’m wondering just what the heck is he planning with this money. (video games, candy?) So I finally
asked him “What are you going to do with the money bud?” He replied “Well, I’m going to give half
to my Mom to buy groceries” (WOW!) I told him “I’m very proud of you bud. What are you going to
do with the rest?” I was totally unprepared for his next reply. He said “Well, I’m going to take the rest
to church to give to the poor people.” I couldn’t say anything at that time. I had to turn my back so he
couldn’t see the tear forming in my eye. Eventually, I composed myself and told him again how proud
I was. This one event taught me more than I have ever known about compassion, generosity,
unselfishness and faith. It’s truly changed the way I feel about giving and has changed my habits. It
also taught me a very important lesson about being judgmental.
STARS! Rick and Lise were not done parenting although
their two boys are adults. Jon’s mom was looking for a
positive relationship for her son. For nearly six years, the
mentor match has been enjoying dinners together, movies,
plays, games as well as outdoor sports and bike riding. Jon’s
mom calls Rick and Lise “Great – they are fabulous people
and they are great with Jon”. Recently Jon and his mom
attended a recognition of Rick (see photo) when he was
selected as a Star of the North volunteer by Senator John
Kline, representing Minnesota.
(From left to right) Mentor Rick, Senator
Kline, Jon, mentor Lise and Jon’s mom Susan
2012 Accomplishments
Expert Partner Status Kids ‘n Kinship was one of nine
programs in the state, named an “Expert Partner” with the
Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, after achieving a 100%
implementation rating for best practices and standards.
Mentoring Award Received Kids ‘n Kinship was recognized
with the Robert Dayton Quality Mentoring Award. This award
honors Robert Dayton whose vision led to engaging community
leaders in developing the Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota
(MPM) and a statewide plan to connect all youth in Minnesota with caring quality adult mentors.
School-based Mentoring Program Growing! By request from elementary
schools, school-based mentoring moved to two additional sites, one in Rosemount
and one in Apple Valley.
Winter Outing: We had a great time roller skating with support from the
wonderful volunteers of Apple Valley American Legion Auxiliary # 1776.
Our Spring Outing and Volunteer Recognition
Event at the Burnsville YMCA was great fun for
mentors, volunteers, kids and their families.
Volunteer Bike Sale: Mentor Rick Anderson presented Kids ‘n
Kinship with $7,789 in proceeds from his sale. Rick uses his skill
and time to refurbish used bikes into great condition. The money
that Rick raised helps ensure that more kids will receive mentors.
$22,014 has been raised for Kids ‘n Kinship in the past 4 years!
The 7th Annual CEM 900 raised $33,000. Led by John Elder, five riders logged 900 miles.
Merchants Bank, Apple Valley, was again the primary sponsor along with support from other
community groups and businesses.
Summer
Outing
found
mentees and mentors enjoying
an evening of swimming,
canoeing, wall climbing and
archery at Camp Streefland.
The 5th Annual Make a Difference Day, Birthday
Bag Blitz, was another successful partnership with
Cheerful Givers and Thomson Reuters. Thousands of
birthday bags for local food shelves were packed by
children and mentors and community volunteers.
The 13th Annual Bowlathon at Cedarvale Lanes in Eagan was a
great success because of a hard working committee, terrific
sponsors and great participants. One mentee worked super hard
and brought in over $300 to help match more kids with mentors!
Growing Our Community
One Relationship at a Time
Kids ‘n Kinship celebrated its 40th
Anniversary with a memorable Gala.
Tim Sherno of 5 Eyewitness News, did a
fantastic job of leading us through an
evening of live music, a silent auction, a
wine cork pull, a delicious meal and an
inspiring program. Our director Jan
Belmore presented our founder, Carol
Frick, with a piece of artwork of a tree
with leaves created by mentor and
mentee thumbprints. Two mentees, now
adults, spoke of the impact mentoring
has had on their lives. Sponsors, in-kind
donors, and attendees raised $15,000 to
help Kids ‘n Kinship continue serving children in Dakota County. Throughout the year, Kids 'n
Kinship received wonderful press including stories of a an adult recalling what it was like to have a
mentor at age 12 and a 10 year old starting his second year of mentoring:
Twelve-year-old Miles Eliason felt ambivalent at first
about spending time with an adult mentor. His
parents had divorced and there were some tough
times at school. His mother signed him up for Kids
'n Kinship. Then he met Scott: "He created an arcade
system out of a computer. I was like, ‘This dude was
cool.” The two hung out a few hours each week,
playing video games, shooting baskets and working
on the occasional school project. It seemed like
ordinary kid stuff, but it helped Eliason map out his
future. "It had a huge impact. Scott is a programmer.
I ended up going to school for graphics and web,"
said Eliason, now 25 and in computer sales. "If it
wasn't for him introducing me to all that different
technology, I probably wouldn't have gone to school
for what I did, if at all."
Tom said. "We get to do kid stuff again." Nancy said
they look forward to the time they spend with the fifthgrader each week. "And it's all about Ahren," she said.
"We really get to focus on him." Tom and Nancy
Hemmah wanted a volunteer activity they could do
together, and that's how they met 10-year-old Ahren.
With their children grown and out of the house, the
couple says the mentoring program allows them to relive
their days as young parents while helping out another
family.
Thank You 2012 Donors
40th Gala Sponsors
Branch sponsors: AAA
Minnesota/Iowa, Gopher
Resources, Geri Hess,
Dale & Bette Schenian,
Think Mutual Bank,
Thrivent Financial
Northern Dakota Chapter,
UTC Aerospace Systems
Leaf Sponsors: Wayne &
Carol Stockman, Zeeb
and Crane Group/UBS
Financial Services,
Seedling Sponsors: Jan &
Dave Belmore, Dakota
Electric, Elder Jones, Inc.,
Media Relations, Inc.,
Pinnacle Properties,
Kirsten & Gordie Storlie,
Wings Financial
Financial Donors:
Castle Rock Bank
Homes by Colleen
Chris & Paul Knirk
Dennis & Sharon
LaComb,
Mark & Kathy Parranto
Terri & John Pedace
John & Karen Peters
Harold Le Vander Jr.
Corporate
AAA
Ameriprise
APT Resources
Best Buy
Elder Jones
Foley and Mansfield
Goodrich Sensor Systems
Gopher Resources
Kopp Family
Media Relations Inc.
Merchants Bank
Minnesota Energy
Resources
Minnesota Vikings
PBBS Equipment
Single Ply Systems
SKB Rosemount
Community Trust
Think Bank
Thomson Reuters
Uponor
Wal-Mart
Foundations
3M
Catholic Community
Carlson Family
Jana’s Fund of the
Minneapolis Foundation
Jostens
Kentron
Kopp
Malt-O-Meal MOM
Cares
McKnight
MN Vikings Children’s
Fund
Otto Bremer
Owen Family
St. Thomas Gibney
Award
Steve Leuthold Family
Toro
Turner Family
Organizations, etc.
Burnsville Women of
Today
Burnsville, Eagan and
Lakeville Rotaries
Burnsville, Eagan, and
Rosemount Lions
Children of Prisoners
Family Service
Collaborative 196
Good Shepherd
Prince of Peace Church
Shepherd of the Valley
North and South Dakota
County Chapters of
Thrivent Financial
Dale and Bette Schenian
Mike Zenner Family
Fundraising
Annual Bowlathon
Christian Elder Memorial
Rick Anderson Bike Sale
In-kind
3M
AAA Minnesota/Iowa
Abdallah Candies
Jeff Achen
Karen Anderson
Arnold Orthodontic
Barnes and Noble
Jan Belmore
Berean Baptist
Buca de Beppo
Buck Hill
Burnsville Performing
Art Center
Burnsville Women of
Today
Byerly’s Wine & Spirits
A Cat & the Fiddle
Cedarvale Lanes
City Image Salon
Jennifer Crowder
Dakota Electric
Dakota Valley Associates
of Thrivent
Data Sales
Delta Dental
Divas & Denim Boutique
Dog Day Giveaway
Dougherty Molenda et.al.
Elder Jones
Bruce Gullickson
Geri Hess
Dennis Hill
Monica Jensen
Jim Cooper’s Tire & Auto
Johnson Brother Liquor
Company
Heather’s Housekeeping
&More
Deborah Kieschnick
Lakeville Family
Chiropractic
Lakeville 21 Theater
Lakeview Bank
Joe Landru
Linda Larson
David Lindstrom
Janet Lekson
Mail Pack and Ship
Media Relations Inc.
Merchants Bank
Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Zoo
Naked Grape Wine
Peter Neikirk
Paustis Wine Company
Penn Cycle
Perkins Lakeville
Q. Cumbers
Patsy Ryan
Science Museum of MN
Shepherd of the Valley
Single-Ply Systems
Sorella Wine & Spirits
Southern Wine
Super Target, Apple Valley
The Works
Think Mutual Bank
Thomson Reuters
Tix for Tots
Rick Anderson
Roxane Tolle
TORO
Diane Tran
Tutus & Cupcakes
U.S. Federal Credit Union
Valley Natural Foods
Kristi Yamaguchi & Brett
Hedican
Rita Younger
The Silent Auction
shoppers
Funding Sources
11%
Fundraisers
3%
31%
•
Foundations
Organizations/Churches
12%
•
Corporate
13%
Kids 'n Kinship receives no government
funds, but benefits from a variety of
funding sources to provide financial
stability
Kids ‘n Kinship raises 31% of its
revenue through fundraisers
Individuals
30%
Designated Donors
Match Length
2012 Mentor Match Outcomes
•
•
•
100% of youth are reducing their experience
of isolation by consistent visits with their
volunteer with whom they are learning new
skills, physical activities and hobbies
98% of youth have established a positive
relationship with their adult mentor
97% reported no serious incidences or a
reduction of risky behavior during the time
they were matched with a mentor
22%
32%
3 - 4 years
1 - 2 years
25%
Our Focus
Janet Lekson
Dennis Hill
Treasurer, Elder Jones, Inc.
Karen Anderson
Secretary, FICO
Heather Champine
Kocina Branding & Marketing Companies
John Drasin
Drasin Law Office
Lanny Strapp
3M Retiree
Staff
Jan Belmore
Executive Director
Rita Younger
Program Coordinator
Ingrid Henry
Kinship Coordinator
During 2012
21%
Board of Directors
President, Dakota Electric Board
Over 5 years
We match children in need of support, with
screened and trained adult volunteer mentors in the
communities of: Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan,
Farmington, Lakeville and Rosemount. Through
their Kids ‘n Kinship relationships, children receive
positive attention, experience a variety of activities
and develop a sense of self-worth essential to
successfully functioning in healthy relationships.
You can find us at:
www.kidsnkinship.org
@kidsnkinship
www.facebook.com/kidsnkinship
Read our blog for thoughts on mentoring and
upcoming news:
http://mentoringinsights.blogspot.com/