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What is the purpose of Kinship?
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To help at-risk children realize their God-given potential through long-term adult friendships while simultaneously providing a unique service opportunity for adults to put their faith into action on behalf of children.
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What is the difference between Kinship and other mentoring programs?
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There are four major differences:
We have a Christian base.
We encourage individuals, couples or families to volunteer (extended family relationships).
We work with people as young as 5 on up to 15 years of age.
We have a long-term, friendship focus, instead of a tutoring or short-term focus.
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What are Kinship's values?
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- We are motivated by the command of Jesus Christ to love our neighbor as ourselves.
- Regular, long-term relationships with a variety of adults are critical to healthy child development
- The quality of Kinship service and relationships is more important than quantity. We believe in careful screening, matching, and continual follow-up support of program participants.
- Dedicated volunteers are essential to our operation. Kinship provides the structure and organization for them to effectively serve children.
- Kinship professional staff are qualified, motivated and committed to our vision.
- We believe in inclusiveness and collaborative efforts that bring people together of different races backgrounds and creeds.
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How and why is Kinship a Christian ministry?
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Kinship of Greater Minneapolis began with students at Luther Seminary. As a part of their home missions class, they were assigned to explore the community needs from around the seminary in St. Paul. They discovered that there were young men in trouble with the law who were of single-parent homes. They decided to befriend them, and over time this outreach was named "Kinsmen". Following the establishment of "Kinswomen", the programs merged into "Kinship".
The concept of Kinship goes back to the Old Testament times, when Kinsmen were called upon to support others less fortunate. The story of Ruth and Boaz is one such example (Ruth 3:1-18).
Kinship of Greater Minneapolis provides an opportunity for people to put their faith into action by caring for the less fortunate. Volunteers come from many different denominations. Kinship is not formally affiliated with any one denomination.
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How long has Kinship been around?
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Kinship began with students at Luther Seminary in 1954. They befriended young men of single parent homes, who were in trouble with the law from Hennepin and Ramsey counties. The program branched off interdenominationally and began operating as a national organization in 1967. Kinship of Greater Minneapolis was established as a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 1989.
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What is Kinship's area?
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Kinship of Greater Minneapolis serves all of Hennepin county and Anoka county. Volunteers come from the entire metro area, many because they want to mentor through a faith-based program. Our offices are located at Christ English Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis, Minnehaha Communion Lutheran Church in South Minneapolis, and Olive Branch Lutheran Church in Anoka. |
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Is there a national Kinship organization?
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Yes, there is a National Kinship Affiliate Network Alliance. The national organization has program standards that help assure that all Kinship affiliates operate professionally. Dan Johnson, Kinship of Greater Minneapolis' Executive Director is chair of the national board of directors.
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What is Kinship's greatest need?
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At any given time we have over 100 young people awaiting volunteers from the greater Minneapolis area. Our biggest need is for men to befriend boys who live in the inner-city. |
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What are the backgrounds of the kids Kinship serves?
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Economic Background: At the time of applying to our program, 51% of program participants either listed no employment, AFDC, disability, or were students. We are certain that among the remainder of families, many are working at jobs that keep them below the poverty level.
Racial Background: Approximately 40% of children are Caucasian. The next two major racial backgrounds are 33% African American and 21% Multi Racial.
Gender Background: Of the kids matched, the break-down between genders is relatively even (50% boys, 50% girls). The waiting list, however, is always more heavily weighted with boys.
Age Range: Children can be enrolled in Kinship between the ages of 5 and 15.
Geographic Range: 80% of our children live in Hennepin County, but we also have matches in 11 other surrounding counties, including Anoka and Ramsey.
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How many kids has Kinship served?
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Here in the Minneapolis area, we have served over 800 kids with mentors since being established in 1989. Currently, we have 271 kids who are in long-term relationships (5/01).
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How effective is Kinship of Greater Minneapolis?
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How can you measure the value of a long-term relationship? Although we seek a one year commitment, the average length of a Kinship relationship is over two years, well above the national average. Some of our Kinship relationships continue well into adulthood.
National mentoring research done by PublicPrivate Ventures indicates that kids who had mentors:
- were 46% less likely to start using drugs, and 27% less likely to start drinking
- were one-third less likely to hit someone
- skipped half as many days of school, felt more competent about their ability to do well there and, in fact, got slightly higher grades
- reported more positive relationships with their peers
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What is required to become a volunteer through Kinship of Greater Minneapolis?
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Dependable volunteers meet once a week with their Kinship Kid, including him or her in their "everyday activities". We ask for a time commitment of one year from the volunteer. We have a thorough screening process that includes an orientation, application, references, police check, and interview with two staff.
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What if someone wants to be a mentor, but is not a Christian?
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We allow the prospective mentors to determine if the program is a fit for them. On occasion, we have had Jewish volunteers and persons from other religious beliefs become Kinship mentors. The parent or guardian is notified of the faith of the prospective mentor, and has final approval. Most often, the primary parental concern is that the mentor be a good role model.
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How old is too old to volunteer? Too young?
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Kinship volunteer mentors may begin as young as 19, with no upper age limit. Some important factors, which may limit volunteers, are the abilities to be consistent and have reliable transportation. |
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Do you match volunteers and children across races?
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Yes. Research has indicated that race is not an important variable in determining the effectiveness of mentoring relationships. We live in a multi-cultural society. Kinship provides an opportunity for both the mentors and children to learn more about other cultures through their relationships. |
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How long does it take to apply and be matched as a mentor through Kinship?
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It typically takes somewhere between 5-7 weeks. Much of this depends on how quickly the prospective volunteer attends an orientation, completes an application, and completes the interview process with two Kinship staff. All volunteers also must have four references returned and must receive a criminal apprehensions check. Usually, we have a child waiting that would be a good match, but occasionally they may need to wait for a child.
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How are matches made between adult mentors and kids?
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Matches are made based on interests and location, as well as personality, skills, energy level, hobbies, age, and gender. |
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Do you ever need to reject people?
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Yes, rarely though. Usually, people who apply to Kinship are well intended and have plenty to share with a young person. However, we err on the side of what is best for the kids if we have concerns. In addition to taking references and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehensions check into consideration, staff are encouraged to use their intuition on whether candidates would be good role models for children.
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For persons interested in volunteering, what would their next step be?
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Attend one of our upcoming orientations. There is no obligation - just come to learn and ask questions. Orientation sessions are held the first Thursday of each month at Normandale Lutheran Church in Edina, the third Tuesday of each month at Brookdale Covenant Church in Brooklyn Center, and the fourth Monday of each month at Blaine City Hall.
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How do kids find out about Kinship?
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They hear about the program from many sources - word of mouth, counselors, social workers, teachers, the United Way's First Call for Help, etc.
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How long do kids wait for mentors?
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The typical wait is approximately nine months. We are always striving to shorten the wait as much as possible, while still focusing on making the best possible match. We understand that the wait seems like forever to the child, but we want to make sure the wait has been worthwhile.
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Why do you have more boys on your waiting list?
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The reason is twofold. First, women generally volunteer more often than men. Second, there are more boys without fathers in the home than girls without mothers.
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How is Kinship funded?
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Kinship is funded entirely through contributions of individuals, churches, corporations and foundations. We are not a United Way agency, nor do we receive fees for service.
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Since Kinship relies on volunteers to mentor kids, why does it need money to support its programming?
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The largest expense for Kinship is the staff. Professional staff are needed to carefully screen, match and support Kinship volunteers. The staff also visit all of the children's homes, make referrals as needed, and staff program events. As with any organization, there are also administrative and operating costs; telephones, computers, copying, fundraising, etc. Kinship of Greater Minneapolis meets all of the quality program standards as defined by the Minnesota Charities Review Council.
Kinship annually does a full audit, which is available upon request, along with the federal form 990.
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