Kids’ Hope celebrates eight years of ministry with Highland students

By GINA KINSLOW
Glasgow Daily Times

GLASGOW April 25, 2008 04:24 pm

— First United Methodist Church has been reaching out to Highland Elementary students for the past eight years through its Kids Hope ministry.
Church members not only serve as mentors for students, but they also serve as prayer partners.
“The idea came about eight years ago when our minister wanted to do an outreach ministry. He heard about it on the radio, a program called ‘Focus on the Family,’” said Marianna Irving, who oversees the ministry.
The pastor of the church at that time contacted a church in Michigan where the ministry originated for more information and decided it was something he could bring to First United Methodist.
“It was a fit,” Irving said. “We felt it was just what the church needed and wanted.”
Kids Hope is a national program that can be found in 27 states, with over 7,000 children involved. The program can also be found in Australia.
Seven churches in Kentucky participate in the program, but according to Irving, First United Methodist has the largest participation with over 175 volunteers.
Children involved with Kids Hope are referred by their teachers.
“It can be for several different reasons. It may be a child who just needs a friend. A lot of our children have single parents. If we provide a positive, Christian role model, and within that framework we work on academics, focusing on reading. We feel if they can learn to read that is the key,” she said.
Church members who serve as mentors work with children in grades K-5 for one hour a week.
The program is not necessarily designed to go be-yond the fifth grade, but Irving said the church saw a need for older children to continue receiving the same mentoring, prayer and support that the younger children receive.
“So, we continued with Beyond Kids Hope on an indirect basis,” she said, working with children in grades 6-12. “When they started going from fifth to the sixth grade, we can’t quit them. We just can’t say, ‘OK, we’re finished.’ We know the pivotal years are those junior high years, so we work with them on an indirect basis.”
While mentors work with the students on schoolwork, other church members who serves as prayer partners pray for both the mentors and the students.
Rachael Harms was involved in the program as a young student and continues to meet with her mentor even though she is now in high school.
“My mentor is a huge blessing. She’s always been there even though I’m out of the smaller kids, she still comes to see me and we do things,” Harms said. “If it weren’t for her, I don’t think we would really be where we are right now.”
Candace Armstrong, also a high school student, said the program has made a difference in her life.
“They put God in my life and really helped me with school and my family,” she said.
Armstrong’s mentor, Loretta Murrey, said she has enjoyed having the opportunity to work with her.
“It’s been a great opportunity to get to know Candace and her family,” Murrey said. “I feel like I’ve learned as much and grown as much as she has.”
Jim Cumberland serves as Armstrong’s prayer partner and has been praying for her for the past six years.
“Prayer helps everyone,” he said. “When you pray for people like that, it comes back to you as well.”
Cumberland said he prays for many things.
“I pray that she is accepted in school, that she does well, that she enjoys her classes and that she has the desire to succeed and get along with people and learn,” he said.
Cumberland says he can tell a difference in Armstrong.
“I’ve seen her go from a person who didn’t want to talk to you, or didn’t want to face you to someone who is more outgoing,” he said.
Cumberland underwent surgery 10 days ago and he said Armstrong told him she prayed for him.
“There’s no feeling like that,” he said.
Kelly Oliver, principal of Highland Elementary, said she, too, has noticed a difference in students who are involved in Kids Hope.
“I am overwhelmed by the impact it has had on our students — academically, socially and emotionally. They benefit so much from the nurturing that is provided. They do work on schoolwork, but they also do that kid work, such as listening and opening themselves up to communication with a child,” she said. “The kids open up to communicating with an adult and they need that. They need that extra support that is going to help them be successful in school and life.”
Becky Honeycutt, who is coordinator for the school’s Family Resource Center, said she, too, notices a difference in the students.
“We probably won’t ever know the full impact they’ve had on these kids, but this program is probably the best program, period,” she said. “They give these kids stability, because they know they are going to be there every week. If they aren’t there that week, they have a sub.”
It’s the caring and stability, Honeycutt said, that the kids need the most.

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