Do you enjoy being around young people? Do you place a high value on education? Do you have skills and talents you'd like to share? Do you like having fun? Are you looking for an opportunity to make a difference - on your own schedule? Perhaps mentoring with Denver Kids, Inc. (DKI) is the volunteer job for you!

DKI is a nonprofit organization that has been serving students in Denver Public Schools (DPS) for over 61 years. A long-term preventive counseling and mentoring program, the DKI staff counselors work with the students, grades K-12, helping them graduate, pursue their post-secondary options, and on reaching their potential. DKI offers the rewarding opportunity to adults in the metro area to mentor the students, sharing their knowledge and experiences, helping the students develop a broader view of their community and the world.

As society has become more complex, so too have the problems our young people face - and as a result, the numbers of students DKI serve have greatly increased. This has led to a greater need for caring mentors who serve as positive role models and friends for the students. DKI carefully screens all volunteers, including criminal history, driving record and fingerprinting, and provides training. The selected mentors agree to meet with their students at least twice monthly for the minimum of one year. Most of these matches continue well past the one-year mark, enabling the students to further benefit from a caring, consistent relationship with an adult outside their family, their own special friend. The counselor and mentor together support the child, helping him/her overcome the obstacles and challenges faced on a daily basis.

In addition to New Mentor Training and enrichment trainings offered to mentors, DKI plans many activities for mentors and kids to do together, as well as social events for mentors only. The mentor always has the support and guidance of the child's counselor and other DKI staff. Many DKI mentors have found that sharing their daily lives with their student is the best way to forming a strong bond - simple things such as running errands, going to the library, or taking a walk in the park go a long way toward forming solid friendships.

A longtime DKI mentor explains: "When I was thinking about becoming a mentor, I considered a couple of organizations. What sold me on DKI is the fact that there is a counselor assigned to each student in the program who is available to answer questions, and give advice and encouragement. Becoming a mentor was a much less intimidating prospect once I understood that DKI provided me with professional expertise." While not "easy", mentoring offers both rewards and challenge, and requires patience, flexibility and a sense of humor! Please check the Denver Kids' website: www.denverkidsinc.org or call Penny Stanley, Volunteer Program Director at 720-423-8133 for additional information or to get started mentoring today!