Fourteen mentoring programs across the state of Kansas were awarded mini-grant funding totaling $10,000, for the recruitment and retention of mentors. This mini-grant funding is part of the annual Coaches’ Challenge, a campaign started by Coaches Bill Snyder and Tom Osborne in an effort to connect more youth to mentors.
“Both on and off the football field, caring role models are making a tremendous difference in the lives of our young people,” Snyder said. “That is why I ask every Kansan to join me in the Coaches’ Challenge by signing up to mentor a young person today.”
The 2014 Coaches’ Challenge runs from August 1st to November 30th with final results being released during the first week in December. The goal this year is to rally 15,000 new mentors.
“By connecting young people with caring adults we provide them with a powerful asset to achieve success in all aspects of their lives,” said Cheri Faunce, Director of Kansas Mentors. “One out of every three youth will grow up without a mentor in their lives. Our goal with the Coaches’ Challenge, and this funding opportunity, is to decrease that number.”
Currently there are thousands of young Kansans, especially young males, in need of a caring role model. In as little as one hour a week, an individual can offer the support and guidance these young people need to succeed.
To find out more or join the Coaches’ Challenge, contact Kansas Mentors: 785.368.6211, [email protected],www.KansasMentors.org.
| ORGANIZATION | PROGRAM NAME | COUNTY SERVED |
| Anthony-Harper USD 361 | Runner Buddies | Harper County |
| Basehor-Linwood USD 458 | Basehor-Linwood Mentors and CareCats | Leavenworth County |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Flint Hills | Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Flint Hills | Chase, Coffey, Lyon & Morris Counties |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Crawford County | Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters | Crawford County |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County | Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters | Douglas County |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County | Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters | Franklin County |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina, Inc. | Big Brothers Big Sisters | Saline County |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Topeka | Back to School Campaign | Shawnee County |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters Serving Southwest Kansas | Go Big or Go Home | Barton, Ford, Grant, Haskell, Meade, Pawnee, Seward, Stevens Counties |
| Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas | Compeer Mentoring | Sedgwick & Sumner Counties |
| Reno County Communities That Care Association | Each One—Reach One | Reno County |
| Youth for Christ of South Central Kansas | MATCH: Mentor a Teen; Create Hope | Kiowa, Pratt & Kingman Counties |
| Youth Horizons | Sedgwick & Butler Counties | |
| YWCA of Topeka | Girls on the Run | Shawnee & Jackson Counties |