We serve at-risk youth through mentoring and encouragement.

Brad Welles - Marliek's mentor

“I’m a Christian business man in Wichita and I feel like the business environment has prepared me and other business-minded people to mentor at-risk children in the area.  The flexibility that being in business requires has taught me how to find time and creativity to be friends with Marliek.  We fish, we play catch, we pursue friendship with each other.

“Not having a father is a sad regular occurrence in our society.  I befriended Marliek years after his father passed away.  Marliek is not the only recipient of a gift in this friendship; he has handed me the adventure of being a kid all over again!

“I’m a bottom- line oriented guy.  I’ve seen the evidence.  I know mentoring works toward helping fatherless children avoid the painful pitfalls of life.  I know that stepping into a child’s life this way helps them to live out the potentials God has given them.”

Rhett Larsen - Andrew's mentor

“I started mentoring Andrew as a way of practicing unselfishness and learning how to reach out and reach into another person’s life. 

“Mentoring is not always the easiest endeavor in the world, but it is good to know you mean something to somebody else.  Andrew is a good kid, and I’m glad to be able to do things with him in his life.

“We do sports together.  We go out to eat.  I take him home with me on the weekends to meet my family and see what it’s like on a farm.”

Jennifer James - Taylor's mentor

“I like to find ways to make sure that Taylor is happy and being taken care of in the best ways.  I try to introduce to her to new things; we go to the kid’s dinner theaters, we make pottery together.

“I care about this little girl.  I want the best for her.  I try to help her do things that a little girl would like to do.  I pray for her and her family.

“I lead a pretty busy life, but I know God honors my times with Taylor.  I care a lot about that little girl.”

Marlene Moore - Alyisa's mentor

“Alyisa is one of the most beautiful little girls I’ve ever met.  I know she is going to be ‘super special’ and very successful in her life.  I came into her life at just the right time.  She was healing from some hard things and becoming a bright young woman.

“We have enjoyed doing crafts together.  She comes over to my house and swims.  She likes my little dogs.

“I never worry about Alyisa.  I know that she’s going to make it.  It has been fun getting to see her blossom in front of my eyes.  She really keeps me on my toes.  She and her brother are two of the sweetest kids in the whole world.”

Kristin Mehler - Monique's mentor

“The summer before I started mentoring I was doing a camp in California for inner city kids; I developed a real connection with some girls there.  I saw what kids were going back to and I wanted to be a part of preventing kids from going astray.  My small group leader encouraged me in that direction.

“Being friends with Monique is so fun; our personalities are perfect for each other.  I was afraid I would have to baby-sit, but it’s been a blast.  I haven’t had to keep her talking; she talks plenty on her own.  We have inside jokes, we always go to Quik Trip, and we get drinks from the Quik Trip hot drink recipe book—stupid little stuff like that.  Mentoring is easier than you think.

“My hope for her is that she’d see there’s something bigger for her.  She’s wrapped up in this lifestyle that you know your goal is to finish high school, and I know that her mom has bigger ambitions.  But more than that I want her to see what life with Christ is like, even over success, even over higher education and good jobs.

“Mentoring is not just a commitment, or some heavy whole-year hardship.  Once you do it you find out that the kids are so fun.  Basically, you’re gaining another friend.”