10 Years of St. Dunstan’s Kids Hope
In 2014 Lynne Dozier conducted a writing workshop at Eiland Elementary School. She fell in love with the precious children with whom she worked. She set out to find a way to return to Eiland with something meaningful. After many prayers and much research and discussions with Barbara and Ed Williams, Lynne decided to work with Kids Hope, a platform that supports mentoring by pairing one church with one school. Lynne took the director training and thus began St. Dunstan’s Kids Hope. The seed was planted.
Many seeds are planted, but not all produce fruit. Let’s explore what caused this seed to grow into a successful well-honed program providing 20 plus mentors for children at Eiland Elementary as we begin our tenth year. Because of Lynne’s planning, this seed continues to bloom.
- A board was formed allowing decisions to be made collectively by brainstorming the pros and cons of each decision. This board was made up of a counselor, a reading specialist, a party planner, a prayer partner and Lynne’s special sidekick. We have since added a math instructor. Lynne’s legacy was secure. The plant was growing.
- Each year training sessions add continuity to how we serve our students. Fortunately as we grow, mentors express that our sessions become more informative and help prepare for the year. A big thanks to Frances Stetson and her words of wisdom this year. Mentors also participate in a training session with Klein ISD as well as with Safeguarding God’s Children.
- Each year the mentors and prayer partners get together to celebrate either the beginning of the year or the end of a successful year. It is always fun to be joyful with one another and share mentoring stories and the love of their students. These events fertilize the seed.
- Mentors honor a weekly commitment during the school year. We are blessed that mentors all love their students and have a desire to serve. Many mentors even follow their students beyond Eiland Elementary. For example: one of our mentors provided a job recommendation, another celebrated a high school graduation lunch, and another was told she was part of their family. These things develop because relationships are naturally formed as you love a student.
- Each mentor chooses a prayer partner who prays for the mentor and their student. They love sharing progress and prayer needs with their partner. Ed Lancaster kept a picture of Don Dozier’s mentee on his desk at work. This becomes a relationship wrapped in a prayer
- Meetings with school counselors ensure that students and their mentors are well suited to each other. This method works most of the time and is corrected when necessary.
- Parents must sign permission slips so their child may receive a mentor. Because of the success of our program, the word has spread to other children and parents. We now have students asking their parents to request a mentor.
- Meetings are held with school administrators. This ensures their full support of the program. This method has lasted through 3 principals and now with the 4th. Teachers and administrators attended our outdoor event, Holy Smokes, at the church. David Menendez, the former Principal of Eiland, attended the Street of Shoppes gala and spoke about the importance of our mentoring program. This year we have students on a waiting list for mentors. The Eiland librarian said the following about the program: “I can't believe ten years have passed! St. Dunstan's partnership with us is a deeply personal one for me and I cannot adequately express my gratitude for the commitment to support and care for our students. The relationships and connections that develop between the mentors and students are truly amazing to witness. As expected, students are excited to see their mentors each week. But equally impactful is how meaningful the time with the students becomes to the mentors. I have overheard mentors chatting as they leave that time with their student is the highlight of their week. Students, too, will talk about looking forward to seeing their mentor. Sometimes I am asked if I can "just let them know" when something happens between visits. It has been pure joy to watch from the periphery as the program has grown.” Jessica Scheller, Eiland Elementary Library
- This church/school alliance became especially important during COVID. St. Dunstan’s pitched in to supply books and white boards so students could learn well within a different environment.
- With the help of donations from the congregation, Kids Hope provides author signed books for each student when an author has visited the school. Julie and Sandy wish all of you could see their faces as they receive their books. See pictures below.
- At the end of each school year, we supply one or two grade levels of students with books to take home for the summer. The teachers at Eiland are always excited to pick the books that encourage students to read over the summer.
- We have begun to send students to Camp Allen. We feel strongly that camp provides Eiland students with many opportunities that they have never experienced. Two students attended camp summer of 2023, this summer of 2024 we sent 4 students. In addition to the price of camp, we give them $100.00 for supplies such as flashlights, sunscreen etc. Two of the students who are now in 4th grade are a part of the counselor’s leadership group. Per Father Roman, back to back camp is what children need.
This seed, “St. Dunstan’s Kids Hope,” has been watered with prayers, relationships, persistent attention to details, and a willingness to change without compromising goals. We have maintained 20 or more mentors each year. The 21 mentors this year are ready and willing to perform this Godly mission.
