Kids 'n Kinship Receives $20,000 Otto Bremer Foundation Grant

Kids ‘n Kinship, a local preventive mentoring program celebrating 40 years of service received $20,000 from the Otto Bremer Foundation to assist in its efforts of matching youth with an adult mentor(s).   

The program has a waiting list of 45 children and youth, and this prompted their request for support to the Otto Bremer Foundation. Funds will be used to recruit, screen, train and support adult mentors who will befriend the youth.   

“Youth who participate in mentoring relationships experience a number of positive benefits, and disadvantaged youth often miss out on those benefits,” said Daniel Reardon, trustee of the Otto Bremer Foundation. “This grant will help Kids-n-Kinship, Inc. match more kids in the Dakota County area with mentors, which will greatly help those kids function successfully in school, in their personal relationships and, later, in their careers.”  

The program pairs young people with adults who have the time and heart to provide  opportunities, support and encouragement to them. The adult mentors spend time on a weekly basis, assisting the youth with homework, building something, baking, visiting a museum or other enhancing activities. 

In addition, the program provides seasonal activities, a community service hands on project for the youth and multiple fundraisers.  

“We are thrilled with this important funding and the opportunity to reach more youth.” said Jan Belmore, Director of the program. “We need the support of the community in order to strengthen youth’s skills and capacities and provide for a positive future. Otto Bremer, as a highly regarded Philanthropic Foundation is an important newcomer to our funding picture and we are eager to do the work in front of us.”  

Kids ‘n Kinship has achieved the “Expert” status for mentoring programs through the Mentoring Partnership Minnesota and has recently received the Robert Dayton Quality Mentoring Award. For more detail on Kids ‘n Kinship and for times and locations of upcoming information sessions go to www.kidsnkinship.org