LIMA, OH (WLIO) -Â Parents, students, and mentors bonded and got to know each other at a holiday party on Thursday.Â
Kids Hope USA, a branch of a national volunteer organization that works with kids at Unity Elementary School, hosted a party with free food and festive crafts to celebrate the season and introduce themselves to the parents. Each mentor works with the same student for the entire time that they attend Unity.
Mentors work with their assigned student once a week, providing both academic help and a trustworthy role model.
"One of the things that we see is a definite desire to be in school the day that we come. There's enthusiasm to spend time with us and to see us. Teachers are incredibly enthusiastic about the program, sometimes they can provide academic work for us, but really the goal is a relationship. An ongoing relationship with the students where we can provide encouragement and support to them in any area that they need," explained Kim Allison, the director of Unity Elementary School's Kids Hope program.
Unity's Kids Hope mentorship program is organized by the Grace Community Church and has been working with the school for nine years.
