After retiring from many decades as an elementary school teacher, I still had a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of children. Just as it had always been my goal to demonstrate the unconditional love of Jesus to my students, I sought through prayer a new outlet to continue helping young ones, especially those who are the most vulnerable.
I found that outlet in the Katy ISD mentoring program. It is offered by Katy ISD Partners in Education and is entitled KEYS — Keep Encouraging Youth toward Success. A caring adult is paired with a student for one hour each week during the school year. The supportive relationship affirms the student and helps grow confidence to succeed in school and beyond. The weekly meeting takes place at the school where the student is enrolled. The program has been in place for more than 30 years and produced thousands of relationships that have changed lives.
So for the past 13 years, I have been mentoring and praying for my assigned children every week. Almost all of these students are from broken families and fractured relationships. To have an adult who shows up every week just to spend time with them is a very special thing. If a child does not move out of the school district, the same person can continue to be their mentor until they graduate from high school. This has happened with several of my students, the first being a third-grade boy that I mentored until he finished high school.
When the children are younger, I take craft supplies for making a project, or a game to play, during the hour while we talk. As they get older, the primary focus becomes letting the student share what is going on in their lives. To make them feel special, on holidays I give them a small gift … at Christmas it was kits to make a beaded bracelet for the two girls I am seeing currently. I want them to always know how much I really care.
There are times when I have the opportunity to be there for them when a parent or relative cannot. This happened recently as one of my girl’s poem was selected for a school program. She lives with her mom primarily and her dad was working out of town on the day of the program. Her mom did not attend the program, so I was there to hear her read the poem and cheer her on. It meant a great deal to both of us, and she gave me a big hug afterwards!
Just this past week, as I met with each of my assigned girls, one in elementary school and another in junior high, the topic came up of no school on Friday or Monday of Easter weekend. They were happy about it, of course, but wondered why. In answer to their questions, I gave them information — like the Friday before Easter is called Good Friday.
“Why does it have that name,” one asked. I explained that it is a special day for many people in our country who are Christians to remember that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. And Easter is the day that He rose from the dead.
The younger girl questioned, “You mean He became alive?” Then she immediately switched to how much she loves Easter because of the chocolate eggs and treats she receives. I was shocked that neither of them had heard of Good Friday or the reason for celebrating Easter Sunday. In both conversations we moved on, according to guidelines, but it was eye opening for me to realize how far our country has slipped away from our Godly heritage.
What a reminder that during the periods before holidays (“holy days,”) we need to take every opportunity to continually express our joy to others about the awesome things our Lord has done for us. He is worthy of all our praise and adoration!
Little children, let us not love in word or talk,
but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:18
To investigate becoming a mentor in Katy ISD, go to Katy ISD KEYS.
