KIDS HOPE USA is a National Ministry.

Over 450 Church/School Partnerships in 27 States

KIDS HOPE USA was launched in 1993 as a research project. We asked professionals in religion, education, health and human services and law enforcement two questions:

1. What are the most pressing needs facing American youth today?

2. How can the church reach out to these children and their families?

• 1 out of 5 children lives in poverty

• 2 out of 5 children live in single parent

homes

• 1 out of 3 children lacks a significant father

figure

American children are more likely to be

murdered, poor, pregnant, drug-dependent or

incarcerated than the children of any other

industrialized country.

The Need

The Greatest Need?

The Commission on Children at Risk (2003) reported that children are “hardwired to connect.” Their ability to learn is seriously impaired if they do not have a relationship with one adult who cares. They need love!

Professionals stressed that a church could make a profound difference in the lives of children if it would mobilize and train its members to form one-to-one relationships with the youngest children.

“If your members do nothing more than stand on my playground and wave at designated children, they will make a profound difference in their lives. Just wave.”

Principal

And What About The Church?

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.

What is KIDS HOPE USA?

Four Distinctives KIDS HOPE USA Model:

1. Owned by one churchKIDS HOPE USA works exclusively through the local church, teaching it to engage its own members in one-to-onerelationships with at-riskpublic elementary school children.

Four Distinctives KIDS HOPE USA Model:

2. Focuses on the youngest childrenKIDS HOPE USA churches mentor 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.

Prison officials in at least two states use the reading scores of third graders to help determine the number of prison cells that will be needed in the future.

Four Distinctives KIDS HOPE USA Model:

3. Forms exclusive one-to-one relationshipsKIDS HOPE USA mentors use a weekly one hour “event” to build a relationship focused on the child’s emotional and social needs. These relationships are supported by a behind-the-scenes prayer partner.

Four Distinctives KIDS HOPE USA Model:

4. Respects church-state separationMentors are trained to abide by the rules of the host organization. While there is no evangelism at the school, participation in church activities may occur with parental approval. Schools in 27 states have embraced KIDS HOPE USA.

KIDS HOPE USA Makes a

Difference!

• Church members who mentor are blessed as they make a difference in the life of a child.

• Churches experience a change in ministry culture as members build relationships with neighbors.

• School personnel are “blown away” by a church that respects them and helps them love the children.

• Children show significant change in attitude, behavior and academic performance.

According to their teachers, 99% of the KHUSA children benefited from their relationship with a mentor.

Frost Center for Social Science Research (2008)Hope College, Holland, MI

Three Critical Questions For Your

Church:

Question One: Does your church want to build a relational bridge with your community?

Question Two: Will your church have access to at-risk children at the neighborhood public elementary school?

Over 50% of our requests come from public schools asking us to find a church that will help them love the children!

Question Three: Is your church able, at this time, to make the commitment that makes KHUSA successful and sustainable?

Commitment Issues

• We will respect the separation of church and state.

• We will recruit at least 10 mentors and 2 substitutes in the first semester. These mentors will undergo a criminal history check and be fully trained.

• We will identify a behind-the-scenes prayer partner for each adult-child relationship.

• We will involve the pastor as a mentor or a prayer partner.

• We will restrict our outreach to one school.

• We will evaluate our program annually and share this information with the National Office.

• We will hire a part-time paid Director (5-15 hours per week depending on the time of year and size of the program) who has official status on the church staff.

• Our Director will be trained by the KHUSA National Office.

We will assume financial responsibility for the following expenses. These expenses vary according to the size of the church:

1. A salary or stipend for the Director.

2. A one-time affiliate fee which helps cover the costs of program development and the required training course. This fee is based on the number of adult members who attend on a typical Sunday morning and is paid quarterly during the first year.

Number of Members Cost• 500 or less $3,000• 501 or more $4,000

Churches that adopt the program may be eligible for apartial scholarship of $ 500. Funding is limited and it is available on a “first come first serve” basis.

3. An annual program budget, typically ranges from $500 to $1500 in year one, covering the costs of supplies, t-shirts, events for the children/parents, and other activities that enhance the relationship-building process.

Sample Budget

Next StepsStep One: KIDS HOPE USA presents the program to church leaders.

»Resources: Packet # 1 “KIDS HOPE USA - An Introduction” and the DVD “You Could Be the One”

Step Two: Church leaders meet with a local elementary school to learn about need and share about commitment.

»Resources: Packet # 3 “KIDS HOPE USA …and the school” and the DVD “Mentoring Partnership for Your School”

Step Three: The church governing board signs the KIDS HOPE USA Affiliate Agreement and identifies the Director.

»Resources: Packet # 2 “KIDS HOPE USA …and the church”; “Finding Your KIDS HOPE USA Director” Packet; Director Training Brochure

Step Four: KIDS HOPE USA trains your Director to develop the program within the church and the neighborhood school.

Step Five: Your Director recruits and trains all volunteers according to the KIDS HOPE USA National Office Training Program and begins your church’s program.

“I hope you will become a mentor. Then other kids can be as lucky as I am!”