Was there ever anyone in your life who mentored you - who made a difference in your life?

Chances are that if youre able to read this, there was.

Anita Helmich, executive director of Emmet County Kinship, told Estherville Rotarians about Kinship Thursday and how members could make not only a childs life richer - but also their own.

Helmich said Kinship started in Minnesota and went nationwide in 1967. Emmet County Kinship currently has 14 matches between mentors and children with another 11 children awaiting mentors.

Kinship's mission is to match caring adult mentors with children who can benefit from their companionship. Mentors agree to spend an hour a week with a child for one year in some activity which both the child and mentor agree upon. There are also group activities among mentors and children such as a recent Halloween party.

Helmich said mentors also benefit from learning about different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. They also have the chance to be a kid again.

Statistics prove the benefits of Kinship. Helmich said children who have been mentored 18 months or more are 52 percent less likely to engage in violent behavior, are 46 percent less likely to use illegal drugs, are 35 percent less likely to become mothers as teens and are 27 percent less likely to use alcohol.

Emmet County Kinship is funded through a grant with additional contributions from individuals, churches, corporations and foundations.

Helmich noted just how much children benefit directly from giving:

n $500 provides individual training for 10 new mentors.

n $400 provides life skills training for four at-risk teens.

n $30 gives a child and a mentor a day together at a sporting event.

For more information, contact Emmet County Kinship at 712-362-2828 or director@emmetcountykinship.org