Athletes for Kids
| Formation | 2002 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Ken and Liz Moscaret |
| Type | Non-Profit Organization |
| Headquarters | Sammamish/Issaquah, WA |
| Location |
|
| Website | http://athletesforkids.org/ |
Athletes for Kids is a nonprofit organization founded in 2002. The organization works to enhance the lives of children with special needs by partnering them with a high school athlete to form an encouraging friendship. AFK's mission is to create communities where children of all abilities are celebrated.[1]
History
Ken and Liz Moscaret became co-founders of AFK in 2002 while brainstorming at their kitchen table with two other friends.[2] The organization began with six high school athletes, now each year over 200 youth are benefiting from these special mentorships.[3][4]
Since beginning the organization in 2002, at
Mentorships
Most commonly, children in the program are struggling with ADHD, autism, depression, and/or a wide range of physical, emotional, and developmental disabilities.[4] The "Kids" in Athletes for Kids range from grades 1st through 8th, ages 5–14.[1][7] These kids are elementary and middle school students mentored by high school athletes.
To become a mentor, candidates must go through an application process. Generally mentors are referred to the program through a sports Coach, Athletic Directors, Teachers, members of the Community, and other mentors.[4] After being referred, candidates must complete the screening and background check to guarantee safety for their "buddy".[4] Once the application process is complete, new mentors must attend a training session in order to learn the appropriate behaviors of being a mentor. All mentors meet monthly to evaluate how the mentorship is going, ways to improve, creative ideas, and helpful guidance from others.[4]
Benefits
Mentors and their buddy meet two to four times a month for two hours or so. Mentorships range from 1–3 years, but in most cases, carry on after the mentor graduates from High School.[5] Each mentorship looks different, but the goal of the relationship is to create a special friendship. Some activities mentorships participate in are board games, arts and crafts, playing at parks, or practicing a sport.
References
- ^ a b "Athletes For Kids Volunteer Opportunities - VolunteerMatch". volunteermatch.org. Retrieved 2015-11-05.
- ^ "Nonprofit instills patience in young role models, fosters friendships - Issaquah-Sammamish Reporter". Issaquah-Sammamish Reporter. Issaquah Reporter. Retrieved 2015-10-27.
- ^ "$1 million charity preserves memory of Joshua Williams : Sammamish Review – News, Sports, Classifieds in Sammamish, WA". Archived from the original on 2015-03-28. Retrieved 2015-10-27.
- ^ a b c d e f "Athletes for Kids". athletesforkids.org. Retrieved 2015-10-27.
- ^ a b "The Seattle Foundation | Athletes For Kids". www.seattlefoundation.org. Retrieved 2015-11-05.
- ^ "Volunteers join forces to help Athletes for Kids : The Issaquah Press – News, Sports, Classifieds and More in Issaquah, WA". Archived from the original on 2015-09-12. Retrieved 2015-10-27.
- ^ "Athletes for Kids | Washington State Mentors". www.wamentors.org. Archived from the original on 2015-11-17. Retrieved 2015-11-05.