KIDS HOPE USA One child One hour One church One school

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KIDS HOPE USAOne child One hour One church One
school
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February, 1995 KIDS HOPE USA is launched in
three Michigan churches
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KIDS HOPE USA is a National Program.
Over 300 Church/School Partnerships in 27 States
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(No Transcript)
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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 questions1. What are the most
pressing needs facing American youth today? 2.
How can the church reach out to these children
and their families?
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The Need

• 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 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!
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The Needs of the Fatherless

• ______ of adolescent murderers (25, 48, 72)
• ______ of Americas rapists (31, 60, 79)
• ______ Times as likely to drop out of school
  (one, two, six)
• ______ Times more likely to fail at school (two,
  three, nine)
• ______ Times more likely to suffer child abuse
  (20, 30, 40)
• ______ of men in prison (50, 70, 90)
• ______ of juveniles in state reform
  institutions (50, 70, 90)
• ______ of 10 teenage girls who become pregnant
  had little or no
• contact with their own fathers (3,
  5, 7)
• ______ of 10 teens who commit suicide grew up
  without a dad (2, 6, 8)

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In one extreme case, an elementary school
principal told the story of Nate, a 5-year old
boy who had been arrested 25 times for arson.
The reason? Nate was searching for proof
that someone cared.
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And What About The Church?
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
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What is KIDS HOPE USA?
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.
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Four Distinctives KIDS HOPE USA Model
Owned by one church KIDS HOPE USA works
exclusively through the local church, teaching it
to engage its own members in one-to-one relationsh
ips with at-risk public elementary school
children.
1.
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Four Distinctives KIDS HOPE USA Model
Focuses on the youngest children KIDS 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.
2.
Prison officials in at least two states use the
reading scores of third graders to determine the
number of prison cells that will be needed in the
future.
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Four Distinctives KIDS HOPE USA Model
Forms exclusive one-to-one relationships KIDS
HOPE USA mentors use a weekly one hour event to
build a relationship focused on the childs
emotional and social needs. These
relationships are supported by a
behind-the-scenes prayer partner.
3.
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Four Distinctives KIDS HOPE USA Model
Respects church-state separation Mentors 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.
4.
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Nate, the boy who was arrested 25 times for
arson, was matched with a mentor four years ago.
He has become an excellent student.
He now knows that someone cares.
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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, 99.5 of the KHUSA
children benefited from their relationship with a
mentor. Frost Center for Social Science
Research Hope College, Holland, MI
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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?
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Commitment Issues

• We will respect the separation of church and
  state.
• We will recruit at least 10 mentors but not
  normally more than 15 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 (15-20 hours per week)
  paid Director who has official status on the
  church staff.
• Our Director will be trained by the KHUSA
  National Office.

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Sample Budget

• We will assume financial responsibility for the
  following expenses. These expenses vary
  according to the size of the church
• A Salary or stipend for the Director typically
  ranging from 2000 to 6000.
• An affiliate fee which helps cover the costs of
  program development and the required training
  courses. This one-time fee is based on the number
  of adult members who attend a typical Sunday
  morning service and is normally paid over one
  year.
• Number of Members Cost
• 100 - 200 2,000
• 201 - 500 3,000
• Over 500 4,000
• 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.

Churches that adopt the program in 2006 may be
eligible for a partial scholarship of 500.
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Next Steps
Step One KIDS HOPE USA presents the program to
church leaders. Step Two Church leaders meet
with a local elementary school to learn about
need and share about commitment. Step
Three The church governing board signs the KIDS
HOPE USA Affiliate Agreement and identifies the
Director. Step Four KIDS HOPE USA trains your
Director to develop the program within the church
and the neighborhood school. Step Five Your
Director trains all volunteers according to the
KIDS HOPE USA National Office Training
Program. Step Six Your church begins its KIDS
HOPE USA program.
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I hope you will become a mentor. Then other
kids can be as lucky as I am!