Child in need

How are your back-to-school lists coming along? Most households have probably settled into their "kids are in school" mode. Possibly you're one of the families where "back to school" means "away to college." This can be a really difficult time for parents who are sending their last child off to college, far from home. This can also be an extremely difficult time for young kids who are having problems adjusting to a news school, a new set of peers, or maybe even a new family situation.

Usually kids are referred to Kinship Partners because they need a positive adult influence in their lives -- they need an adult friend. The reasons they need this positive influence are varied. One of the KP kids on the waiting list is a young boy with serious learning difficulties who has become a target for the neighborhood kids. Another one of our kids has a problem making friends with his peers. School has become a place he's choose to avoid. Several of our kids live in isolated areas with limited access to transportation. Many KP kids are working on improving their socialization skills. They may not have learned how to say "please" or "thank you" yet, or they may be so shy it's hard for them to take the first step in making new friends. The majority of our kids live in single-parent families and often have little or no contact with their other parent.

If you have sent your last child off to college and still feel that need to parent a youngster and have a tremendous influence in a child's life, please consider becoming a Kinship Partner.

Our kids need your time, attention and influence. They need to feel important and special. They need someone who will be willing to stick with them through tough times at school and at home, someone who will be understanding about their lack of social skills or their inability to dress "cool." If you have thought about becoming a Kinship Partner, now is the time to take this important step.

Please call one of our area offices to start the application process. You can contact us in Crosby at (218) 546-7308; in Pequot Lakes at (218) 568-4015; and in Brainerd at (218) 829-4606. We and our kids can't wait to hear from you!