Rewards of long-term mentoring

Today there was an inspiring article in the StarTribune, “Creating the ties that bind”. It was a great reminder of the power of long-term mentoring. To really make a real difference in the life of another, and in turn our own, we need to make a significant investment of ourselves. Hats off to Gayle and Susan who invested themselves for the past 28 years in the lives of Tara and Debra. The fruits of their giving are abundant. And as is often the case through giving they received even more in return!

There are hundreds of young people eagerly awaiting mentors, especially boys, many who have been waiting well over a year to have a special adult friend of their own. A wide array of mentoring opportunities for individuals, couples and families are available. Learn more about a mentoring program that would be right for you through the Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota, www.mpmn.org.

Major gifts to charity

A group of billionaires from around ghe world gathered in New York to discuss charitable giving. Investor Warren Buffett and Microsoft chairman Bill Gates challenged the group to give away at least 50% of their wealth. Mr. Buffet has promised to give to charity 99% of his assets either during his life time or at the time of his death. You can read more about this extraordinary challenge at CNBC.

Mr. Buffett has often stated that children shouldn't get billions just for winning the birth lottery. I would suggest that children should also not be destined to a life of poverty by losing the birth lottery. Gifts given to Kinship help children coming from disadvantaged circumstances to have a better chance of realizing their God given potential. Your gift to Kinship will provide hope and encouragement to kids in need of additional adult support and guidance. To make a gift online simply visit GiveMN.org.

Twin Cities volunteers rock

Once again the Twin Cities reported the highest rate of volunteerism of all urban areas in the US, as surveyed by the Corporation of National and Community Service. We had a 37% rate of people volunteering, with an average of 44 volunteer hours/year per Capita.

As a nation in 2009, 63.4 million of us volunteered to help their communities.
This is an additional 1.6 million volunteers compared to 2008, making 2009 the largest single-year increase in the number of volunteers since 2003. Volunteers also provided 8.1 billion hours of service in 2009, which has an estimated dollar value of $169 billion.

A pretty impressive rate of volunteerism during this difficult economic downturn.

Let's see if we can get even more of us to volunteer in 2010. One of the great benefits of volunteering is that through giving we in turn are blessed!

Kinship Builder's Event

Kinship of Greater Minneapolis hosted a spring open house for Builders on Sunday, May 23rd. A tour of the new office space was provided along with an update on program activities. Rev. Ron Sykes, longtime Kinship mentor and ambassador provided a blessing of the new space. Board President, Bruce Ensrud, hosted the event, while Ray Douglas, Builder's Captain, provided an update on the Builder's Club. A brief program update was provided by Margie Edberg, Kinship Co-Director. Builders were also provided a chance to view Kinship's new 7 minute video and updated website, just launched today!

Ray Douglas noted how in his business as an investor he would love to have an investment opportunity like Kinship that could almost guarantee significant annual gains. Thanks to the generosity and dependability of long-term mentors and donors children enrolled in Kinship are able to make significant annual gains year after year in their development.

Staff enjoyed visiting with the Builder's, which included a number of former Board members and program participants. We are especially thankful to donors who make a gift of $300 or more to support the Kinship Builder's program. Being faced with challenging economic times, and having no fees for service Kinship is increasingly dependent upon the generosity of individual donors to support this critical mentoring ministry.

Spring Gala great success!

Thanks to all who attended or supported our Spring Gala April 23rd at the Golden Valley Country Club. It was a great evening of fun and fund raising. The gala netted $60,000 to support Kinship mentoring.

The evening included a flavorful Italian buffet, songs by the Metropolitan Boys Choir, bidding on a wide variety of auction items, and presentations from program participants. A seven minute Kinship video was premiered. Sondra Samuels, President of the Peace Foundation reinforced the need for mentoring, especially in areas like North Minneapolis where there are a disproportionate number of children from disadvantaged circumstances.

Steve Peterson, Kinship board member, served as the evening's emcee. Steve reminded all of Kinship's impact on children through mentoring. Being 100% funded though contributions a call to support the ministry was provided. Thanks to generous donors who contributed $20,000 in the form of a challenge match, which was met during the gala!

Event sponsors included the Colonnade Group of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, North West Hennepin Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and the Rasmus Law Firm.

Volunteer Appreciation!

This is national volunteer recognition week, when we take a brief moment to recognize the outstanding activities provided by volunteers that make our world a better place. Our country relies on volunteers for everything from coaching, mentoring, tutoring, visiting shut-ins, cleaning up parks, giving blood to delivering meals on wheels.

Kinship of Greater Minneapolis is privileged to work with hundreds of truly outstanding volunteers who mentor children, serve as ambassadors, help with events, provide guidance and support on the board of directors or committees. Collectively they are making a world of difference in the lives of hundreds of our Kinship kids.

Volunteers are seldom paid; not because they are worthless, but because they are PRICELESS!

Heartfelt thanks to all of our wonderful volunteers!

Volunteers help with Kinship's website overhaul

On March 20th Kinship of Greater Minneapolis will be among 15 other nonprofits receiving a website face lift by a group of volunteers. This will involve a 24 hour all night effort by website experts working with three Kinship staff. The "Nerdery Overnight Website Challenges is being organized by Nerdery Interactive Labs, a division of Sierra Bravo Corp. The makeover is valued at up to $25,000. You can read more about this in an article by Jean Hopfensperger "Geeks offer free all-nighter" in the Star Tribune.

Thanks to Marit, Nancy and Margie on Kinship's staff for pulling an all-nighter with these techies! Word is there will be plenty of free coffee to keep them going. Watch for a new and improved Kinship website coming soon! www.kinship.org