Season for Sharing grant used by MentorKids for afterschool and tutoring programs

MentorKids used last year’s Season for Sharing grant to fund its Student Success afterschool programs, which provided more than 400 high-risk students with free tutoring and homework help.

The group was founded in 1997 as a one-on-one mentoring program. In 2010, leaders looking to have a bigger impact created the Promise Neighborhood model, involving families and neighborhoods in a targeted geographic area.

After-school and summer programs play a strategic role in allowing staff to get to know the students and families and inform them about other opportunities. Many students come from single-parent homes or are being raised by relatives.

Students often stay connected to the group while attending high school and obtain training to become a part of the iLEAD program and may become part-time paid staff. Participants in the program have a 100% high school graduation rate. Many leave the iLEAD program to pursue college or trade school opportunities.

Family and caregivers consistently report that teens are more respectful and willing to help younger siblings and parents as a result of the program.

Participants are taught to take personal responsibility and learn decision-making skills and, in turn, give back to their communities and families.

“We have students who started with us in second grade and are now serving and mentoring the younger kids as iLEADers," said executive director Aaron Parrott. "To see how they have developed into kind, service-focused young leaders who are now investing in our younger kids and serving their communities is the proof that what we do at MentorKids, while not easy, is working in a powerful, transformational way."

The group received a $7,500 grant from The Arizona Republic-sponsored Season for Sharing campaign last year. In all, $2.1 million was shared by 176 nonprofits that help children and families, older adults, and teachers and students. 

What needs and or basic services is your organization providing? A Promise Neighborhood is one square mile in a high-risk area that meets certain economic, social and diversity requirements. Our programs are in schools or community centers in an underserved area and offer free after-school and summer programming for kids from K-12th grade. We focus on three pillars: academic excellence, personal growth and leadership development. We engage families through local events and parent councils, and we impact our community through service projects, events, and business and civic engagement.

How many individuals do you help each year? Last year we served more than 300 students in South Phoenix, Palomino and Paiute areas where the majority of students are minorities.

How was the Season for Sharing Grant spent? The grant contributed to our annual budget of $398,267, which breaks down to about $1,050 per student for a year’s worth of after-school homework help and reading tutoring. We provide 155-160 program days to aid students throughout a school year. Programs include STEM activities, art and music classes, physical fitness, personal development and leadership workshops.

How do you gauge success? We follow student progress through regular evaluations, focus groups and informal interviews with parents and caregivers. We look for progress in academic growth, personal character qualities, leadership and life skills.  This past year, we hired one of our iLEADers to work part-time as an assistant teacher while he pursues his goal of becoming a filmmaker.

What are your greatest needs? Our programs are offered at no cost, and financial support is needed to continue our work. Volunteers are a crucial part of what we do and they are needed to tutor kids and help with homework and to share their skills. Volunteers have taught gardening, music, art and sports. Anyone who has a skill to share and two free hours can volunteer one afternoon a week.

Share a personal story? One of our iLEADers is a freshman in the Palomino Promise Neighborhood who joined MentorKids as a second grader. The area where he is from has high crime and dropout rates. He comes from a loving family and has received support from MentorKids for the past seven years. He has become an impressive young leader at his school and at MentorKids. His goals are to attend Massachusetts Institute and Technology and become an engineer.

Future vision for your organization? Our plan is to open a new Promise Neighborhood every two years. We are building the program infrastructure and fundraising to open our fourth Promise Neighborhood in 2022-23. 

Ways to give to Season for Sharing

• Fill out the secure, online form at sharing.azcentral.com.
• Text “SHARING” to 91-999 and click on the link in the text message.
• Go online at facebook.com/seasonforsharing and look for the “DONATE HERE” post.
• Clip the coupon on Page 4A of The Arizona Republic, fill it out and mail it to P.O. Box 29250, Phoenix, AZ 85038-9250.
• Scan the QR code with your smartphone.