Partners can make a big difference

At Kinship Partners a "match" signifies the beginning of a partnership between an adult volunteer and a child.

Emotions tend to run high when the adult volunteer and young partner meet for the first time. The adult partner may feel apprehensive about compatibility, time schedules, the sharing of familiar activities and involvement with other family members. The child and parent may also have similar apprehensions.

To ease the anxieties for all parties involved; the adult volunteer, child, parent and coordinator meet together in a neutral place. Through conversation, laugher and a few serious comments on responsibilities, each comes away with the promise of making this partnership work.

Once the match is complete the child and adult partner anxiously look forward to their first outing together.

Unfortunately, not all the children are lucky enough to be matched with a partner. One young girl needs a friend to spend time with her and provide emotional stability. She likes to swim, and play soccer and loves to do creative work such as drawing and painting.

Making a difference in a child's life can be simple. Please call one of our area offices to become a mentor in the Kinship Partners program. In Brained call 829-4606, in Cuyuna Country call 546-7308 and in Lake Country call 568-4015. There are many young children waiting to be matched with someone special, like you.