Awarded a grant from the OneStar Foundation in 2006 through the Governor’s Mentoring Initiative, Ben’s Kids has enlisted the participation of more than 50 mentors and is seeking additional caring and compassionate individuals to motivate, encourage , and guide IEA/Ben’s Kids youth to build BRIGHTER FUTURES.

Ben’s Kids are matched with mentors, helping them make positive personal choices. Each mentor invests three to four hours per month to help a young person improve his or her life through telephone contact and staff-organized twice monthly meetings that include character development, guest speakers, and athletic and community service activities.

Choosing to become a mentor, however, does more than just impact a child. Mentors benefit immensely from the fulfillment and knowledge they have helped shape a young person’s future. One Ben’s Kids mentor says, "Becoming a mentor actually helped save my life. After losing my mother to breast cancer, I found myself in a deep hole….The children that I mentor helped me climb out of that hole, and I began experiencing life again with them….I thank God for allowing me to become a mentor. It is truly a very rewarding experience."

The fundamental goal of increasing the number of mentor/mentee matches in Southeast Texas is to reduce recidivism, increase high school graduation rates and improve the overall social well-being of youth. IEA Founder Regina Rogers comments, "We as a community must step up and ensure that our youth are inspired to choose the right pathways to brighter futures, and with our encouragement, are given the opportunity to achieve."

To become a mentor, individuals must be at least 21 years of age, commit to one year of service, volunteer a minimum of one hour each week and attend a training session. After an application has been received, the agency checks references, completes a criminal background check and schedules an orientation.

If you would like to nurture and encourage the potential for success that is within all young people, call 409-839-8778 or e-mail: mentoring@ieainspires.org.