Student Brian with mentor Gail Cebelak
photo: Tom Hoffmeyer | O & E Staff Photographer

Doris Miller, Diane Nichols, Pat Ferrari and Kathy Mertins are mentors from Holy Cross
.

Mentor Norm Sorensen and third grade student Cole
photo: Tom Hoffmeyer | O & E Staff Photographer

Pastor Dana, mentors and teachers from Livonia Coolidge Elementary. Below: Holy Cross sponsor, Rickey Amstutz.

This year, Holy Cross has 27 mentors and prayer
partners involved with KIDS HOPE USA at
Coolidge Elementary in Livonia.

Find out more about KIDS HOPE USA

A time for children...

Holy Cross members are committed to serving the community. One way we do that is through KIDS HOPE USA, a mentoring program for at-risk children in the local school -- in our case, Coolidge Elementary in our neighborhood.  One child, one mentor, one hour per week is the heart of KIDS HOPE USA, because when kids feel loved and valued they are better able to learn, grow, and succeed.

INFLUENCING CHILDREN

Article by LINDA ANN CHOMIN • Livonia Observer & Eccentric STAFF WRITER •
from the Livonia Observer, JANUARY 11, 2009

Cole Custer never cared much about reading until Norm Sorensen began volunteering as part of Kids Hope USA at Coolidge Elementary in Livonia. The pilot program is proof that mentors make a difference when it comes to instilling a love for books and school in children. 

Sorensen, as a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Livonia, spends one hour weekly with Cole in the program that unites volunteers with first- to fourth-grade students in need of one-on-one attention. Sorensen craftily used his interest in paper airplanes to form a bond with the boy who's nearly 9. In return, Cole draws a dragon for Sorensen on this Tuesday afternoon.

The first 20 minutes of the program focuses on academics. The rest of the time is for playing games and talking.

"He taught me how to make airplanes, how to read and write more. I hadn't been reading a lot," said Cole, a third-grader.

Sorensen, on the other hand, is able to spend time with a child.

"My son is 52 and doesn't want to make airplanes anymore," quipped Sorensen. "I get the fun of hanging out with a young person and hear stories from teachers about positive changes in Cole."

Rickey Amstutz was looking for a way to influence a child's life when she organized the local program with the help of the national organization begun as a research project in 1993. Holy Cross pastor Dana Runestad learned about Kids Hope USA from a college friend. She wants the public to understand there are no strings attached, only a hope that children "feel loved" by mentors from the church.

"One of the big things at Holy Cross is to reach out to the community," said Amstutz, director of the program that started Oct. 1, at Coolidge. "We have 16 mentors including myself to work with at risk children who may have learning problems or can't get along. We need 15 more mentors from the congregation, but have seven new mentors joining in January. Twenty percent of the congregation is involved. We're starting to make a difference. We hope other churches come in. Although faith-based, church and state are kept totally separate."

Principal Ann Kalec has embraced the program with open arms. She has a waiting list of children who could use help from the volunteers trained last fall on the importance of confidentiality.

"A mentor provides that one-on-one relationship. They can teach them to read and write and to believe today may be dark but tomorrow will be better," said Kalec. "I've been talking it up with other principals and hope to present to the board in spring. It's been fantastic. The most important thing we need is relationships. All children don't have good relationships. Research shows at risk kids made it because they had a mentor."

SHOWING APPRECIATION

Livonia Public Schools Superintendent Randy Liepa is just as supportive of ensuring success in students.

He recently spoke at a spaghetti dinner put on by teachers and staff to show appreciation for the volunteers.

"The concept is wonderful to have mentors working with children," said Liepa. "Any kind of support for a child supports the teacher. We're thankful for the organization."

As student assistant provider, Loretta Zimes has seen the benefits first hand, She works with children with social, behavioral, and emotional problems including grieving the loss of a loved one.

"They glow when mentors come in. They get a little extra boost," said Zimes, a social worker, "It's made a difference behaviorally."

Brian Smith probably doesn't realize the progress he's made since Gail Cebelak began devoting time to the third-grade student. This day he was learning to follow directions for building a race car.

"He's starting to be more himself," said Cebelak. "He was very quiet, only spoke when spoken to, now he's willing to state what he wants. He's come out of himself some. I heard last year he had trouble focusing and staying on track. This year he's good at math and numbers."

Brian's teacher Ann Brady has noticed "a big change."

"It builds his self-confidence, gives them an opportunity to shine with an adult, to find success," said Brady. "Sometimes parents don't have the time."

Third-grade teacher Kristina Collyer says the program has helped two of her students.

"My students need more emotional support," said Collyer. "Kids look forward to mentors coming. For them to be excited about coming to school is a big deal."

WORKING TOGETHER

Frank Stenrose was having trouble completing assignments when Bill Coughlin became a mentor to the fourth-grade student who will be 10 in April. Coughlin is still working on Frank's favorite subject being recess.

"We talk about football," said Coughlin. "Frank and I are building a good relationship, focusing on academic needs, playing multiplication baseball. Frank plays left guard on the Livonia Eagles whose coach tells him school comes first."