FACTS ABOUT KINSHIP

Q: What is the mission of Kinship?

Kinship of Greater Minneapolis helps children, ages 5-15, in need of additional support to realize their God given potential through adult friendships. Kinship also provides a unique service opportunity for individuals, couples and families to put their faith into action on behalf of children.

Q: How Does  Kinship Make A Difference?

• We encourage individuals, couples or families to volunteer.
• Kinship was started in 1954 and has mentored nearly 2000 local children.
• We mentor kids, ages 5 to 18. Our average Match retention is over three years.
• We are a Faith-Based organization and often partner with churches.

Q: What are Kinship’s values?

We believe in inclusiveness and collaboration.

One-to-one youth mentoring makes a positive difference in children’s lives where additional adult support is needed.

Steady, long-term relationships with stable adults are vital to healthy child development.

Prevention is more valuable and effective in youth development than intervention later in life. Our Children of Prisoners Initiative is a  response to this reality.

People need opportunities to put their faith into action. Kinship provides the structure and organization for them to do this effectively.

The quality of Kinship service and relationships is more important than quantity. We believe in careful screening, matching and follow-up support of program participants.

Q: What is Kinship’s greatest need?

YOU!!!  Any mentor can make a difference by just being  there for a kid. Mentors meet about once a week with their Kinship Kid, including him or her in their “everyday activities.” Just showing up on time and being there are the most important parts of the relationship.

Q: What are the effects of Mentoring?

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 three years, well above the national average for mentoring matches. Some of our Kinship relationships continue well into adulthood.

Research shows that mentored children were:

• 46% less likely to start using drugs, and 27% less likely to start drinking.
• One-third less likely to hit someone.
• Skipped half as many days of school, felt more competent about their ability to do well, got slightly higher grades and reported more positive relationships with their peers.