Every child deserves a champion—an adult who steps up, hangs out, and shows them that they matter. Here in the Park Rapids area, Kinship is working hard to match local youth with mentors who can provide that extra layer of support and fun.
Right now, we have a growing waiting list of amazing kids who are ready to welcome a mentor into their lives.
A Note on Privacy: To protect the safety and privacy of the children in our program, all names in this article have been changed and generic photos are used. However, these are very real, wonderful kids living right here in our community who are waiting for a mentor.
Who is Waiting?
Here are just a few glimpses into the lives of the youth currently on our waiting list. Could you be the match they’ve been waiting for?
“Ben” – Age 10
Ben is a chill, social guy who is great at making friends at school, though a few of his close buddies are moving away soon. He is a big sports fan, loves playing soccer, and enjoys spending hours jumping on the trampoline. While his family is big into cars and loud hobbies, Ben prefers a quieter, more athletic vibe. He is looking for a mentor who shares his love for fishing and sports, and someone he can connect with one-on-one. It might take him a little time to open up, but he is incredibly ready to find a mentor to spend time with this summer.
Photo by Kampus Production: https://www.pexels.com/photo/boy-in-white-t-shirt-and-black-shorts-playing-soccer-8813571/
“Lily” – Age 8
Lily is a quiet, imaginative girl who just wrapped up the second grade. She is quite shy around new people, but once she gets comfortable, her bright personality shines through. Lily is a big fan of drawing, reading books of all kinds, playing Roblox, and eating pizza. She also loves water activities and jumping on the trampoline. Lily comes from a very large, busy household and has been patiently waiting for a Kinship match for over a year and a half. She would benefit immensely from some dedicated, individual attention outside of her hectic home.
“Maya” – Age 15
If you love creativity and conversation, Maya might be your perfect match. She describes herself as a total chatterbox and is incredibly energetic and compassionate. Maya lives with her mom and loves art, creative writing, playing softball, and spending time outside. Maya has shown incredible resilience through some difficult family transitions over the past couple of years. She is currently doing well and working hard on her personal growth, but after a previous match closed a couple of years ago, she is so ready for a stable, consistent mentor to walk alongside her as she turns 16 this summer.
“Chloe” & “Harper” – Age 11
Chloe and Harper are close-knit step-sisters who share a ton of the same hobbies. They are both active in competitive dance, love playing basketball and volleyball, and enjoy quieter activities like baking and solving puzzles. These friendly, fun girls could easily start out by sharing a mentor together, or they could each benefit from having their own unique mentor to celebrate their individual identities. They’ve seen how much fun Kinship can be through extended family, and they are excited to experience it for themselves.
Photo by Anna Shvets: https://www.pexels.com/photo/happy-multiethnic-stylish-teenage-friends-with-skateboard-and-backpack-5325913/
The Need is Growing—And You Can Help
This is just a small snapshot. We receive new inquiries from families all the time, and our waiting list continues to grow. What we need more than anything right now are mentors.
Becoming a mentor isn’t about being perfect, and it doesn’t require a massive lifestyle change. It’s about introducing a youth to the simple, everyday things you already love to do—whether that’s fishing, baking, shooting hoops, or just grabbing a slice of pizza. It is incredibly easy to welcome one of these kids into your routine, but the positive, long-term impact on their life can last forever.
Ready to Learn More? Let’s Connect!
If you’re curious about how you can help but aren’t sure where to start, we have a couple of great, zero-pressure ways for you to get to know us:
1. Fill Out a Quick Application
Head over to kinshipparkrapids.org and fill out our online application. Please note: filling out an application does not represent a commitment. Think of it simply as a formal “hello, I’d like to learn more!” It helps us get to know you so we can chat about what kind of match might be a perfect fit for your lifestyle.
2. Join Us for “Coffee with Kinship”
Want to chat in person over a great cup of coffee? Come see us at our monthly Coffee with Kinship event!
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When: The 4th Thursday of every month (3rd Thursday in November and December), starting at 8:00 AM.
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Where: Bella Caffé, located at 116 3rd St W in Park Rapids.
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What to expect: You can meet our Executive Director, Brandon Mustful, learn more about our mission, and discover just how easy and rewarding mentoring can be. Whether you want to ask questions about becoming a mentor or learn how to enroll a child, we would love to see you there!
The youth in our community are waiting. Will you be the one to answer the call?
