Our community. It’s the place we raise our children. It’s the place we call home. Involvement is important to uphold a strong, supportive city. One thing I have learned since moving to Wichita is that its people are very proud of their city.
Mentoring=helping, teaching, guiding. According to Mentoring.org, 1 in 3 young people will grow up without a mentor. This is an opportunity to become someone who cares and makes them feel like they matter.
Here is an overview of some local organizations you can look into to become a mentor in the Wichita community:
Young Life is a Christian organization where adult mentors help to build trusting relationships and provide guidance to adolescents. As we all know, this is a very difficult time in a child’s development. Positive role models are so important with this age group!
Compeer is a mentorship program that matches an adult mentor with a child who struggles with social and emotional disturbances, helping to build relationship skills, self esteem, and academic achievement.
Girls on the Run Heart of Kansas is a program dedicated to the unique needs of adolescent girls encouraging them to be joyful, healthy, and confident. If you love having an active lifestyle, this program integrates running as a vehicle to promote self esteem and healthy living.
The YMCA is one of the leading organizations that seeks to foster a strong community. It’s focus is primarily geared toward children at risk: those who lack role models, who come from a single parent home, and/or low income families. There are various opportunities to become a mentor at your local Y. A list of ongoing local volunteer positions is found here.
Youth Horizons is yet another supportive organization that works to help at risk children. Its focus is on Christianity: prayer, bible study, and church. This organization is a good option if you desire to work in an environment with a strong faith base and religious foundation.
Big Brothers Big Sisters focuses on children facing adversity by pairing them with a positive adult role model. This organization is nationwide and has a branch right here in Wichita. You can “Become a Big” and help these children reach their full potential.
Boys and Girls Club works to promote positivity in the life of a child, building productive, caring, and responsible citizens. This is a well known organization nationwide, but operates locally in communities. Get involved with the South Central Chapter of Kansas.
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts both promote healthy, active lifestyles along with character building. Each promotes achievement through earning badges that represent the mastery of a wide variety of life skills.
The Women United® Read to Succeed initiative has as its mission to pair at risk children and get them to grade level in reading while building a love for reading. If you have the passion for reading, this group is for you.
Young Professionals of Wichita is an organization mentoring young adult professionals. Its focus is to better the community by holding events to provide leadership and professional development, community service, and social opportunities. This is a good option if you are a leader in your community or career field and would like to help with the advancement of these young adults.
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