KIDS HOPE USA is the nations leading provider of well-trained, faith-inspired mentors for at-risk children in public schools; the premier church-school mentoring partnership in the country. KIDS HOPE USA builds caring relationships...one child...one hour...one church...one school.

Description:
KIDS HOPE USA is an award-winning mentoring program that works exclusively through local churches, teaching them to engage their own members in one-to-one relationships with at-risk public elementary school children. Our local Directors and mentors are thoroughly screened and trained, and though organized through local churches, respect the separation of church & state as they mentor in the schools during the school day. KIDS HOPE USA mentors form exclusive one-to-one relationships and use a weekly one hour "event" to build the relationship focusing on the child's emotional and social needs, while helping them with their academics. Mentors must commit to mentoring one hour a week for at least a year.

History:
KIDS HOPE USA was launched in 1993 as a research project. The Commission on Children at Risk reported that children are "hardwired to connect." Their ability to learn is seriously impaired it they do not have a relationship with an adult who cares about them. We focus on at-risk elementary school children because these are the critical, formative years in which values are formed, self esteem is developed, and academic skills are acquired. Today there are over 400 programs in 28 states, serving nearly 7,000 at-risk elementary school children in the US, with another 235 programs serving 2,350 children in Australia.

Contact people:

Greg Vander Goot, National Representative For Partnerships, (phone), (email) Drew Peirce, National Director For Partnerships, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (616) 546-3586

Address:

100 S. Pine St., Suite 280 Zeeland, MI 49464 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.kidshopeusa.org

Miscellaneous Information

Are court referrals welcomed?
	No