KINSHIP PARTNERS | CHILD IN NEED

This week we are featuring three children all in the same family being raised by their grandmother. All three have been waiting for Kinship to call and say "we have a partner for you."

David is 12 years old and enjoys sports. He hopes to play either baseball or hockey when he grows up. When asked about his friends he said it had been a while since he has had a good friend. When asked what he would like his Kinship Partner to be like, he said "cool and likes sports." He says he doesn't get along with his little brother but likes his sister and grandmother. David needs a male role model in his life that can help build his self esteem and enjoy sports with him.

Katie is 11 years old is a girly girl! She loves make-up arts, crafts, dolls and music. She would like to learn to play the piano, violin or guitar. She also enjoys riding bike and jumping on the trampoline and would like a Kinship Partner to do all these special things with so she doesn't have to do them by herself. She would like to have a friend.

Oliver, 9, is the youngest of the siblings. Grandma says he is full of energy and easy to get along with but can get angry quickly. He enjoys boy things - motors, bikes, fishing and hunting. Oliver also struggles with friendships and needs a good male role model.

Notice what all three of these children have in common? Just like all of us, they need a friend, someone they can count on.

One of our basic needs as people is to have love and feel we belong. We need connections with others, relationships in which giving and receiving become a vital part of the relationship.

A second basic need as people is to have fun. We need someone to laugh with, someone who enjoys the things we enjoy, and someone to share things with.

Maybe you are one of our faithful weekly readers of the Child in Need articles and often think "maybe I should call and get involved," but then life gets in the way and the call is never made. We encourage you to call today. We have many kids on our waiting list who are waiting for a call from Kinship Partners letting them know that someone wants to become their Kinship Partner. It only takes a few hours a week to make a positive difference in a child's life, so make the call - 829-4606 or (877) 730-5437 or check us out on the web at www.kinshippartners.org.