I will love him forever

I’ve seen it a thousand times, but it still touches my heart in a special way and brings me to tears every time. A volunteer comes to MentorKids with a desire to serve...to make a difference...to give back. But something magical happens along the way. “Service” turns into Love.   

Peter was matched with Jorge as a one-on-one mentor in our Palomino Promise Neighborhood about 6 years ago. At age 13, Jorge was going through life challenges. Peter was looking to help. As they grew together, a special bond was formed. As is true with all good friendships, their bond transcended age, culture, language, and background. Over time, two lives that were initially joined through a “program” have been bound together through friendship and love.   

This year MentorKids turns 25 years old. As with any milestone, it’s a time to reflect upon where we’ve been and where we’re going. We were founded as a one-on-one mentoring organization and, as demonstrated through Peter and Jorge’s story, we saw tremendous impact in those relationships. We have now adopted a new model as we seek to build young leaders who build young leaders in our Promise Neighborhoods.   

But who are we at our core? 

What will define us as an organization? 

What motivates us to keep going? 

What does God expect of us?   

When asked a similar question, Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself.”   

As we grow and mature as an organization, I pray that we follow the path of Peter and Jorge, and of Bill and Kaw Ku (featured in our April newsletter), and so many others: May we move from service to love. 

In the midst of a culture so full of division, so eager to point the finger, and so quick to demand from others, may we be people who love. Love has the power to unite. Love has the power to change our hearts. And only love can redeem our brokenness, restore our relationships, and fill us with hope for tomorrow.   

We can’t do this on our own...nor do we want to. We invite you to continue serving and, more importantly, loving with us as we work together to change the world, one life, one family, and one neighborhood at a time for the next 25 years.