One plus one equals a positive partnership

CHESTERTON | One hour once a week may not seem like much, but that amount of time is making a difference in the lives of students at Liberty Elementary School in Chesterton.

Christy Jarka, the principal at Liberty Elementary, was approached last year by Sue Hyle, director of the Kids Hope USA mentoring program at Liberty Bible Church in Chesterton, about a partnership that had the potential to benefit her students. As a recently retired elementary school teacher, Hyle understood firsthand the challenges teachers and schools encounter and the value that a mentoring program like Kids Hope USA could bring to the school.

One year later, both Jarka and Hyle like the results. "Kids Hope is part of the puzzle in building a successful school," said Jarka. "I am delighted by the unselfishness exhibited by others to help our children. The mentors have loved the relationships they've built with their children. They were looking forward to returning for another year of mentoring after the summer break."

Kids Hope USA is an organization that provides direction and support to churches for providing mentors to elementary schools.

Other Kids Hope USA partnerships in Northwest Indiana include Faith Church and Bibich Elementary School in Dyer, Lake Hills Baptist Church and Peifer Elementary School in Schererville, and Community Christian Reformed Church partnering with Lincoln Elementary School in DeMotte.

The Kids Hope USA model is One Child, One Hour, One Church, One School; they have learned that one child partnering with one mentor, and one church partnering with one school provides the optimal relationship for success. Church attendees who want to mentor a child undergo an extensive background check, followed by a personal interview, and must attend training which includes specific instruction regarding the separation of church and state.

Liberty Elementary teachers are asked to recommend children who they feel would benefit most from this one-on-one relationship. Recommendations are based on a variety of factors including the need for academic challenge or support, social support, and other factors. Parents are asked for permission for their child to participate. Almost 40 mentors from Liberty Bible Church faithfully arrive at the school each week to mentor the child with whom they have been paired. Five substitute mentors have also completed background checks, interviews and the full training to help ensure that no weeks are missed.

There is no cost to schools for participating in a Kids Hope partnership. The churches handle the costs. For information, visit kidshopeusa.org, or call (866)546-3580.